Loss of Epidermal PLCγ1 Induced Sebaceous Gland Hyperplasia and Sparse Hair

The study investigated the role of epidermal Phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCg1) in skin and hair development by generating keratinocyte-specific PLCg1 knockout mice (PLCg1 cKO mice). While these mice did not exhibit abnormalities in the interfollicular epidermis, they displayed sparse hair on ventral skin and enlarged sebaceous glands. Immunohistochemistry showed that PLCg1 was abundantly expressed in the outer root sheath and sebaceous glands. The findings suggested that while PLCg1 is not essential for keratinocyte differentiation in the interfollicular epidermis, it is crucial for the normal formation of hair and sebaceous glands.