Hair Loss in Hephaestin Knockout Mice Is Associated with Iron Deficiency

The study on hephaestin knockout (Heph K/O) mice demonstrated that iron deficiency was linked to hair loss and hair shaft abnormalities. Hair loss in these mice began between postnatal days 16 and 35, sparing the head and tail, and was more common in litters from younger mothers. Affected mice exhibited decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV levels, along with low iron content in skin and liver. Iron supplementation with iron dextran injections successfully reversed the hair loss. Despite smaller hair bulbs and distorted hair shafts, hair matrix cell proliferation was unaffected by iron deficiency. The study concluded that iron deficiency led to hair loss by impairing hair differentiation and cycling.