TLDR A gene mutation in mice causes increased mast cells and disorganized hair follicles in their skin.
The study found that a mutation in the desmoglein 4 (Dsg4) gene in mice with hypotrichosis led to mast cell hyperplasia in their skin. This mutation was due to the insertion of an early transposon II-β into intron 8 of Dsg4. The EODhage mice, long-living mutants from lupus-prone EOD mice, exhibited a reduction in the expanded population of lpr T cells. The research suggested that Dsg4 was essential for hair follicle formation, and the mutation caused disorganized hyperplastic hair follicles in anagen, creating niches for mast cell precursors in the skin.
35 citations
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May 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Monilethrix involves multiple genes affecting hair structure, including DSG4 mutations.
33 citations
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October 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” A specific gene mutation causes sparse, brittle hair in a family.
13 citations
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August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Mutations in the DSG4 gene cause fragile, sparse hair in humans, mice, and rats.
50 citations
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February 2004 in “Genomics” A gene mutation causes lanceolate hair in rats by disrupting hair shaft integrity.
194 citations
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March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress stops hair growth in mice by causing early hair growth phase end and harmful inflammation through a specific nerve-related pathway.
19 citations
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May 2004 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” The research found that a specific gene mutation causes fewer hair follicles and disrupted hair growth cycles, leading to thin and short hair in people with Hypotrichosis with Juvenile Macular Dystrophy.
