Expression of Desmoglein 1 Compensates for Genetic Loss of Desmoglein 3 in Keratinocyte Adhesion

The study investigated the desmoglein compensation hypothesis using desmoglein-3 knockout mice (DSG3–/–) that experienced premature hair loss. By breeding these mice with transgenic mice expressing desmoglein-1 (Dsg1), researchers found that Dsg1 could partially compensate for the loss of Dsg3 in hair adhesion, as evidenced by significantly delayed and reduced hair loss in DSG3–/– mice with the Dsg1 transgene (DSG3–/–TG+). However, this compensation was not complete, and Dsg1 did not improve issues related to oral mucosa blisters, likely due to insufficient expression in these tissues. The study provided genetic evidence supporting the desmoglein compensation hypothesis in hair adhesion but not in mucous membranes.