Hairless-Knockout Piglets Generated Using CRISPR/Cas9 Exhibit Abnormalities in Skin and Thymus

January 2019 in “ Jikken doubutsu ihou/Jikken doubutsu/Experimental animals/Jikken Dobutsu ”

Qingshan Gao, Mei‐Fu Xuan, Zhao‐Bo Luo, Hyo-Jin Paek, Jin‐Dan Kang, Xi‐Jun Yin

Hairless gene HR gene CRISPR/Cas9 somatic cell nuclear transfer hairlessness thymus abnormalities peripheral blood signaling factors biallelic mutation molecular changes structural changes skin thymus CRISPR gene editing hair loss skin changes thymus changes

Studysummary This study reported that knocking out the HR gene in pigs using CRISPR/Cas9 led to hairless eyelids and abnormalities in the thymus and peripheral blood, suggesting pigs as a model for human HR-related hair disorders.

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In a study from 2019, researchers successfully knocked out the Hairless (HR) gene in pigs using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to create a model for studying human hair disorders. Nine piglets were generated through somatic cell nuclear transfer, all exhibiting hairlessness on the eyelids, thymus abnormalities, and changes in peripheral blood. Additionally, there were altered expressions of signaling factors regulated by HR. These findings confirmed that the biallelic mutation of the HR gene led to molecular and structural changes in the skin and thymus, suggesting that these HR gene knockout pigs could serve as a valuable model for understanding human hair disorders and developing therapeutic strategies.

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Research cited in this study

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