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Jiang N, Sewell TB, Kowalski TL, Rekab A, Hills S, Fazlollahi L, Lauren CT, Morel K, Mehta L, Liao J. Homozygous deletion of the DSG3 terminal exon associated with acantholytic blistering of the oral and laryngeal mucosa. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:389-393. [PMID: 37850634 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
We report a novel homozygous 49.6 kb deletion of chromosome 18q12.1 involving the last exon of DSG3 in dizygotic twins with phenotype consistent with acantholytic blistering of the oral and laryngeal mucosa (ABOLM). The twin siblings presented predominantly with friability of the laryngeal and respiratory mucosa. This is only the second report in the literature of this unusual autosomal recessive blistering disorder. The diagnosis explains the mucosal phenotype of a pemphigus-like disorder without evidence of autoimmune dysfunction. The exclusion of an autoimmune basis has management implications. The deletion also involved the DSG2 gene, which is associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). The affected siblings and heterozygous parents do not show any cardiac phenotype at this time. Functional studies would further clarify how deletions resulting in loss of function of DSG3 may cause the reported phenotypes of DSG3-related ABOLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Jiang
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Taylor B Sewell
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Theresa L Kowalski
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aisha Rekab
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Susannah Hills
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ladan Fazlollahi
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christine T Lauren
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kimberly Morel
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lakshmi Mehta
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jun Liao
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
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2
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Sundberg JP, Rice RH. Phenotyping mice with skin, hair, or nail abnormalities: A systematic approach and methodologies from simple to complex. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:829-842. [PMID: 37191004 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231170329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The skin and adnexa can be difficult to interpret because they change dramatically with the hair cycle throughout life. However, a variety of methods are commonly available to collect skin and perform assays that can be useful for figuring out morphological and molecular changes. This overview provides information on basic approaches to evaluate skin and its molecular phenotype, with references for more detail, and interpretation of results on the skin and adnexa in the mouse. These approaches range from mouse genetic nomenclature, setting up a cutaneous phenotyping study, skin grafts, hair follicle reconstitution, wax stripping, electron microscopy, and Köbner reaction to very specific approaches such as lipid and protein analyses on a large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Sundberg
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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3
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Castro AR, Portinha C, Logarinho E. The Emergent Power of Human Cellular vs Mouse Models in Translational Hair Research. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:1021-1028. [PMID: 35962707 PMCID: PMC9585950 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Different animal models have been used for hair research and regeneration studies based on the similarities between animal and human skins. Primary knowledge on hair follicle (HF) biology has arisen from research using mouse models baring spontaneous or genetically engineered mutations. These studies have been crucial for the discovery of genes underlying human hair cycle control and hair loss disorders. Yet, researchers have become increasingly aware that there are distinct architectural and cellular features between the mouse and human HFs, which might limit the translation of findings in the mouse models. Thus, it is enticing to reason that the spotlight on mouse models and the unwillingness to adapt to the human archetype have been hampering the emergence of the long-awaited human hair loss cure. Here, we provide an overview of the major limitations of the mainstream mouse models for human hair loss research, and we underpin a future course of action using human cell bioengineered models and the emergent artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Castro
- Aging and Aneuploidy Group, IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Saúde Viável-Insparya Hair Center, Porto, Portugal.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Engineering, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Elsa Logarinho
- Aging and Aneuploidy Group, IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Saúde Viável-Insparya Hair Center, Porto, Portugal
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4
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Nagasawa A, Wakisaka E, Kidena H, Nomura T, Hotta M, Taguchi H, Moriwaki S. t-Flavanone Improves the Male Pattern of Hair Loss by Enhancing Hair-Anchoring Strength: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2016; 6:59-68. [PMID: 26897375 PMCID: PMC4799041 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-016-0101-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction trans-3,4′-Dimethyl-3-hydroxyflavanone (t-flavanone) is a derivative of astilbin that actively stimulates hair growth. The aim of the present study was to identify the mechanisms of action of t-flavanone on hair growth. Methods A double-blind usage test was performed with healthy volunteers who had androgenic alopecia (AGA). The subjects were divided into three groups with equal average baldness. The members in each group applied a vasodilator-containing hair lotion supplemented with either 0, 0.1, or 0.3% (wt) t-flavanone twice a day for 30 weeks. The efficacy of t-flavanone was evaluated based on the parietal global and microscopic images. At week 30, the anchoring strength of hair was measured by the average peak force required for plucking out a single hair in a non-bald area using a digital force gauge. Desmoglein expression in the cultured human hair follicle was analyzed by Western blotting. Results After 30 weeks, t-flavanone significantly improved AGA and enhanced the hair-anchoring strength in a hair diameter-independent manner. Culture of human hair follicles in vitro with t-flavanone resulted in the upregulation of desmoglein protein expression. Conclusions The results of our in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that t-flavanone enhanced the cell-cell adhesions in hair follicles; thus, reinforcement of hair rooting may be a mechanism by which t-flavanone promotes hair growth. Funding Kao Corp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azumi Nagasawa
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan.
| | - Etsuji Wakisaka
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan
| | - Hideshi Kidena
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nomura
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan
| | - Mitsuyuki Hotta
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Taguchi
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan
| | - Shigeru Moriwaki
- R&D-Core Technology-Biological Science Research, Kao Corp., 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan
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5
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Kountikov EI, Poe JC, Maclver NJ, Rathmell JC, Tedder TF. A spontaneous deletion within the desmoglein 3 extracellular domain of mice results in hypomorphic protein expression, immunodeficiency, and a wasting disease phenotype. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 185:617-30. [PMID: 25542773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Desmoglein 3 is a transmembrane component of desmosome complexes that mediate epidermal cell-to-cell adhesion and tissue integrity. Antibody blockade of desmoglein 3 function in pemphigus vulgaris patients leads to skin blistering (acantholysis) and oral mucosa lesions. Desmoglein 3 deficiency in mice leads to a phenotype characterized by cyclic alopecia in addition to the dramatic skin and mucocutaneous acantholysis observed in pemphigus patients. In this study, mice that developed an overt squeaky (sqk) phenotype were identified with obstructed airways, cyclic hair loss, and severe immunodeficiency subsequent to the development of oral lesions and malnutrition. Single-nucleotide polymorphism-based quantitative trait loci mapping revealed a genetic deletion that resulted in expression of a hypomorphic desmoglein 3 protein with a truncation of an extracellular cadherin domain. Because hypomorphic expression of a truncated desmoglein 3 protein led to a spectrum of severe pathology not observed in mice deficient in desmoglein 3, similar human genetic alterations may also disrupt desmosome function and induce a disease course distinct from pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgueni I Kountikov
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jonathan C Poe
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nancie J Maclver
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Thomas F Tedder
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
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6
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Early stages of we/we wal/wal mouse hair morphogenesis: light and fluorescent microscopy of the whole-mount epidermis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:856978. [PMID: 24991569 PMCID: PMC4065771 DOI: 10.1155/2014/856978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In adult skin, hair follicles cyclically self-renew in a manner that recapitulates embryonic hair follicle morphogenesis. The most common pathology of hair in adults is alopecia, which is hair loss to different extent. There are a number of murine models of alopecia including spontaneous mutations. In the present study, we worked with double homozygous we/we wal/wal mice which demonstrate symptoms closely resembling human alopecia. Using whole-mount preparations of epidermis of E18.5 embryos we show that hair follicle defects can be revealed as early as during embryonic morphogenesis in these mutants. The number of hair follicles was reduced almost 1.5-fold in mutant skin. The shape of the early stage small follicles was altered in mutant animals as compared to control ones. Additionally, follicles of mutant embryos were wider at the point of conjunction with interfollicular epidermis. We believe that the mutant mice studied represent a fascinating model to address the problem of hair loss. We demonstrated alterations in the morphogenesis of embryonic hair follicle in we/we wal/wal double homozygous mice developing alopecia postnatally. We suppose that incorrect morphogenesis of hair follicles during embryogenesis is closely related to alopecia in the adult life. Unveiling the mechanisms involved in altered embryogenesis may elucidate the pathogenesis of alopecia.
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7
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Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common type of pemphigus. PV pathogenesis is still debated, and treatment remains challenging. We investigated five controversial topics: (1) What are the target antigens in PV? (2) Do desmogleins adequately address PV pathophysiology? (3) How does acantholysis occur in PV? (4) Is PV still a lethal disease? (5) What is the role of rituximab (RTX) in PV treatment? Results from extensive literature searches suggested the following: (1) Target antigens of PV include a variety of molecules and receptors that are not physically compartmentalized within the epidermis. (2) PV is caused by a variety of autoantibodies to keratinocyte self-antigens, which concur to cause blistering by acting synergistically. (3) The concept of apoptolysis distinguishes the unique mechanism of autoantibody-induced keratinocyte damage in PV from other known forms of cell death. (4) PV remains potentially life-threatening largely because of treatment side effects, but it is uncertain which therapies carry the highest likelihood of lethal risk. (5) RTX is a very promising treatment option in patients with widespread recalcitrant or life-threatening PV. RTX's cost is an issue, its long-term side effects are still unknown, and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the optimal dosing regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Cirillo
- Department of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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8
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Miteva M, Murrell DF, Tosti A. Hair Loss in Autoimmune Cutaneous Bullous Disorders. Dermatol Clin 2011; 29:503-9, xi. [DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2011.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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9
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Sundberg JP, Taylor D, Lorch G, Miller J, Silva KA, Sundberg BA, Roopenian D, Sperling L, Ong D, King LE, Everts H. Primary follicular dystrophy with scarring dermatitis in C57BL/6 mouse substrains resembles central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia in humans. Vet Pathol 2010; 48:513-24. [PMID: 20861494 DOI: 10.1177/0300985810379431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A number of C57BL/6 (B6) substrains are commonly used by scientists for basic biomedical research. One of several B6 strain-specific background diseases is focal alopecia that may resolve or progress to severe, ulcerative dermatitis. Clinical and progressive histologic changes of skin disease commonly observed in C57BL/6J and preliminary studies in other closely related substrains are presented. Lesions develop due to a primary follicular dystrophy with rupture of severely affected follicles leading to formation of secondary foreign body granulomas (trichogranulomas) in affected B6 substrains of mice. Histologically, these changes resemble the human disease called central centrifugal cicatrical alopecia (CCCA). Four B6 substrains tested have a polymorphism in alcohol dehydrogenase 4 (Adh4) that reduces its activity and potentially affects removal of excess retinol. Using immunohistochemistry, differential expression of epithelial retinol dehydrogenase (DHRS9) was detected, which may partially explain anecdotal reports of frequency differences between B6 substrains. The combination of these 2 defects has the potential to make high dietary vitamin A levels toxic in some B6 substrains while not affecting most other commonly used inbred strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Sundberg
- DVM, PhD, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609-1500, USA.
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10
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Abstract
Hair is a primary characteristic of mammals, and exerts a wide range of functions including thermoregulation, physical protection, sensory activity, and social interactions. The hair shaft consists of terminally differentiated keratinocytes that are produced by the hair follicle. Hair follicle development takes place during fetal skin development and relies on tightly regulated ectodermal-mesodermal interactions. After birth, mature and actively growing hair follicles eventually become anchored in the subcutis, and periodically regenerate by spontaneously undergoing repetitive cycles of growth (anagen), apoptosis-driven regression (catagen), and relative quiescence (telogen). Our molecular understanding of hair follicle biology relies heavily on mouse mutants with abnormalities in hair structure, growth, and/or pigmentation. These mice have allowed novel insights into important general molecular and cellular processes beyond skin and hair biology, ranging from organ induction, morphogenesis and regeneration, to pigment and stem cell biology, cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. In this review, we present basic concepts of hair follicle biology and summarize important recent advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon R Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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11
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Holthöfer B, Windoffer R, Troyanovsky S, Leube RE. Structure and function of desmosomes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 264:65-163. [PMID: 17964922 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(07)64003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Desmosomes are prominent adhesion sites that are tightly associated with the cytoplasmic intermediate filament cytoskeleton providing mechanical stability in epithelia and also in several nonepithelial tissues such as cardiac muscle and meninges. They are unique in terms of ultrastructural appearance and molecular composition with cell type-specific variations. The dynamic assembly properties of desmosomes are important prerequisites for the acquisition and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Disturbance of this equilibrium therefore not only compromises mechanical resilience but also affects many other tissue functions as becomes evident in various experimental scenarios and multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Holthöfer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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12
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Grando SA. Viewpoint 6. Exp Dermatol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2006.00499_10.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Paus R, Amagai M, Ahmed AR, Kitajima Y, Bystryn JC, Milner Y, Gniadecki R, Hertl M, Pincelli C, Fridkis-Hareli M, Aoyama Y, Frušić-Zlotkin M, Müller E, David M, Mimouni D, Vind-Kezunovic D, Michel B, Mahoney M, Grando S. Are desmoglein autoantibodies essential for the immunopathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris, or just ‘witnesses of disease'? Exp Dermatol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2006.00499.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Zlotogorski A, Marek D, Horev L, Abu A, Ben-Amitai D, Gerad L, Ingber A, Frydman M, Reznik-Wolf H, Vardy DA, Pras E. An autosomal recessive form of monilethrix is caused by mutations in DSG4: clinical overlap with localized autosomal recessive hypotrichosis. J Invest Dermatol 2006; 126:1292-6. [PMID: 16575393 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Monilethrix is a structural defect of the hair shaft usually inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and caused by mutations in the hHb1, hHb3, and hHb6 keratin genes. Autosomal recessive inheritance in this disease has been sporadically reported. We encountered 12 Jewish families from Iraq, Iran, and Morocco with microscopic findings of monilethrix, but with no evidence of vertical transmission. Since no mutations were found in these three hair keratin genes, we examined nine chromosomal regions containing gene clusters encoding skin and hair genes. On chromosome 18q, a common haplotype in the homozygous state was found among all seven Iraqi patients, but not in 20 controls (P<0.0001). Sequencing of the main candidate gene from this region revealed four different mutations in desmoglein 4 (DSG4). Mutations in DSG4 have been previously reported in localized autosomal recessive hypotrichosis, a disorder that shares the clinical features of monilethrix but lacks the characteristic microscopic appearance of the hair shaft. Our findings have important implications for genetic counseling to monilethrix patients and families, and suggest that DSG4-associated hair disorders may be more common than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Zlotogorski
- Department of Dermatology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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15
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The high rate of morbidity and mortality resulting from long-term use of corticosteroids in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) warrants discovery of a new treatment strategy. Based on a new theory on the pathophysiology of PV, cholinomimetics can block the process of blister formation. AIMS This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Pilocarpine gel in the treatment of skin lesions of PV. METHODS In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, three PV patients with a total of 64 skin lesions were treated by either Pilocarpine or placebo gel. After 15 days of treatment an epithelialization index of the two groups was compared. RESULTS The mean of the epithelialization index in skin lesions that received Pilocarpine was significantly higher than that of the placebo group (40.3 +/- 1.7 vs. 24.4 +/- 3.3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Pilocarpine gel effectively treats PV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Iraji
- Department of Dermatology, AL-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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16
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Jahoda CAB, Kljuic A, O'Shaughnessy R, Crossley N, Whitehouse CJ, Robinson M, Reynolds AJ, Demarchez M, Porter RM, Shapiro L, Christiano AM. The lanceolate hair rat phenotype results from a missense mutation in a calcium coordinating site of the desmoglein 4 gene. Genomics 2004; 83:747-56. [PMID: 15081105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2003.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2003] [Accepted: 11/21/2003] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Desmosomal cadherins are essential cell adhesion molecules present throughout the epidermis and other organs, whose major function is to provide mechanical integrity and stability to epithelial cells in a wide variety of tissues. We recently identified a novel desmoglein family member, Desmoglein 4 (Dsg4), using a positional cloning approach in two families with localized autosomal recessive hypotrichosis (LAH) and in the lanceolate hair (lah) mouse. In this study, we report cloning and identification of the rat Dsg4 gene, in which we discovered a missense mutation in a naturally occurring lanceolate hair (lah) rat mutant. Phenotypic analysis of lah/lah mutant rats revealed a striking hair shaft defect with the appearance of a lance head within defective hair shafts. The mutation disrupts a critical calcium binding site bridging the second and third extracellular domains of Dsg4, likely disrupting extracellular interactions of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin A B Jahoda
- School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom
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17
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Kljuic A, Bazzi H, Sundberg JP, Martinez-Mir A, O'Shaughnessy R, Mahoney MG, Levy M, Montagutelli X, Ahmad W, Aita VM, Gordon D, Uitto J, Whiting D, Ott J, Fischer S, Gilliam TC, Jahoda CAB, Morris RJ, Panteleyev AA, Nguyen VT, Christiano AM. Desmoglein 4 in hair follicle differentiation and epidermal adhesion: evidence from inherited hypotrichosis and acquired pemphigus vulgaris. Cell 2003; 113:249-60. [PMID: 12705872 DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cell adhesion and communication are interdependent aspects of cell behavior that are critical for morphogenesis and tissue architecture. In the skin, epidermal adhesion is mediated in part by specialized cell-cell junctions known as desmosomes, which are characterized by the presence of desmosomal cadherins, known as desmogleins and desmocollins. We identified a cadherin family member, desmoglein 4, which is expressed in the suprabasal epidermis and hair follicle. The essential role of desmoglein 4 in skin was established by identifying mutations in families with inherited hypotrichosis, as well as in the lanceolate hair mouse. We also show that DSG4 is an autoantigen in pemphigus vulgaris. Characterization of the phenotype of naturally occurring mutant mice revealed disruption of desmosomal adhesion and perturbations in keratinocyte behavior. We provide evidence that desmoglein 4 is a key mediator of keratinocyte cell adhesion in the hair follicle, where it coordinates the transition from proliferation to differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kljuic
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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18
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Pulkkinen L, Choi YW, Simpson A, Montagutelli X, Sundberg J, Uitto J, Mahoney MG. Loss of cell adhesion in Dsg3bal-Pas mice with homozygous deletion mutation (2079del14) in the desmoglein 3 gene. J Invest Dermatol 2002; 119:1237-43. [PMID: 12485423 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.19645.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pemphigus encompasses a group of autoimmune blistering diseases with circulating pathogenic autoantibodies recognizing several proteins, including the desmosomal cadherin, desmoglein 3. Targeted disruption of the Dsg3 gene by homologous recombination (Dsg3tm1stan) in mouse results in fragility of the skin and oral mucous membranes, analogous to the human disease. In addition, the Dsg3tm1stan mice develop phenotypic runting and hair loss, identical to that of the mouse mutant, Dsg3bal-2J. The Dsg3bal-2J mice are homozygous for a 1 bp insertion (2275insT) in the Dsg3 gene resulting in a nonfunctional Dsg3 mRNA. In this study, we characterized an allelic mutation, Dsg3bal-Pas, with clinical features similar to those in Dsg3bal-2J. We have identified a 14 bp deletion in exon 13 of the Dsg3 gene resulting in a frameshift and premature termination codon 7 bp downstream from the site of the deletion and causing a truncation of the desmoglein 3 polypeptide by 199 amino acids, eliminating virtually all of the intracellular domain. We demonstrate that, although a Dsg3 mRNA transcript was detectable in Dsg3bal-Pas skin, the corresponding protein for desmoglein 3 was completely absent in the oral mucosal epithelium of homozygous Dsg3bal-Pas compared with that of +/Dsg3bal-Pas mice. No significant changes in the expression of desmogleins 1 and 2 were detected. To elucidate a potential mechanism causing loss of cell adhesion in the Dsg3bal-Pas mice, we generated a myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein and expressed it in keratinocytes. The myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein was found predominantly in the cytoplasm possibly due to increased proteolytic degradation. Cell surface staining was also detected but was jagged, not linear along the cell-cell border like that observed for the full-length desmoglein 3. The expression of the myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein resulted in a reduction in staining of other desmosomal proteins, including desmoglein 1 and 2, plakophilin 2, and plakoglobin. In addition, the cells expressing myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein underwent dramatic changes in cell morphology and exhibited striking extensive filopodia. Collectively, these data showed that the perturbation of desmoglein 3 found in the Dsg3bal-Pas mice resulted in disadhesion of keratinocytes manifested with blistering phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Pulkkinen
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Jefferson Medical College, and Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Nakamura M, Sundberg JP, Paus R. Mutant laboratory mice with abnormalities in hair follicle morphogenesis, cycling, and/or structure: annotated tables. Exp Dermatol 2001; 10:369-90. [PMID: 11737257 DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0625.2001.100601.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Numerous transgenic, targeted mutagenesis (so-called knockouts), conditional (so-called "gene switch") and spontaneous mutant mice develop abnormal hair phenotypes. The number of mice that exhibit such abnormalities is increasing exponentially as genetic engineering methods become routine. Since defined abnormalities in hair follicle morphogenesis, cycling and/or structure in such mutant mice provide important clues to the as yet poorly understood functional roles of many gene products, it is useful to summarize and classify these mutant mice according to their hair phenotype. This review provides a corresponding, annotated table of mutant mice with hair abnormalities, classifying the latter into 6 categories, 1) abnormally low number of hair follicles, 2) disorders of hair morphogenesis, 3) of hair follicle cycling, 4) of hair follicle structure 5) of sebaceous gland structure, and 6) hair growth disorders as a consequence of immunological abnormalities. This annotated table should serve as a useful source of reference for anyone who is interested in the molecular controls of hair growth, for investigators who are looking for mouse models to explore or compare the functional activities of their gene of interest, and for comparing the hair phenotype of newly generated mouse mutants with existing ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- P Martel
- Clinique Dermatologique, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, INSERM U519, IFRMP 23, Rouen, France
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23
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Presland RB, Dale BA. Epithelial structural proteins of the skin and oral cavity: function in health and disease. CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ORAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL BIOLOGISTS 2001; 11:383-408. [PMID: 11132762 DOI: 10.1177/10454411000110040101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial tissues function to protect the organism from physical, chemical, and microbial damage and are essential for survival. To perform this role, epithelial keratinocytes undergo a well-defined differentiation program that results in the expression of structural proteins which maintain the integrity of epithelial tissues and function as a protective barrier. This review focuses on structural proteins of the epidermis and oral mucosa. Keratin proteins comprise the predominant cytoskeletal component of these epithelia. Keratin filaments are attached to the plasma membrane via desmosomes, and together these structural components form a three-dimensional array within the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and tissues. Desmosomes contain two types of transmembrane proteins, the desmogleins and desmocollins, that are members of the cadherin family. The desmosomal cadherins are linked to the keratin cytoskeleton via several cytoplasmic plaque proteins, including desmoplakin and plakoglobin (gamma-catenin). Epidermal and oral keratinocytes express additional differentiation markers, including filaggrin and trichohyalin, that associate with the keratin cytoskeleton during terminal differentiation, and proteins such as loricrin, small proline-rich proteins, and involucrin, that are cross-linked into the cornified envelope by transglutaminase enzymes. The importance of these cellular structures is highlighted by the large numbers of genetic and acquired (autoimmune) human disorders that involve mutations in, or autoantibodies to, keratins and desmosomal and cornified envelope proteins. While much progress has been made in the identification of the structural proteins and enzymes involved in epithelial differentiation, regulation of this process is less clear. Both calcium and retinoids influence epithelial differentiation by altering the transcription of target genes and by regulating activity of enzymes critical in epithelial differentiation, such as transglutaminases, proteinases, and protein kinases. These studies have furthered our understanding of how epithelial tissue and cell integrity is maintained and provide a basis for the future treatment of skin and oral disorders by gene therapy and other novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Presland
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
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24
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Irvine AD, Christiano AM. Hair on a gene string: recent advances in understanding the molecular genetics of hair loss. Clin Exp Dermatol 2001; 26:59-71. [PMID: 11260183 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2001.00764.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The hair follicle is finally, after remaining a mystery for many years, beginning to yield some of its molecular secrets. The past decade has seen unprecedented and ever quickening advances in understanding the molecular genetics of the many single gene disorders, which have alopecia as a major feature. This article reviews recent novel clinical and experimental observations, which have shed new light on the basic molecular mechanisms underlying hair morphogenesis, differentiation, keratinization and cycling. We consider recent progress in understanding structural hair defects and complex traits and consider where future developments are likely to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Irvine
- Department of Dermatology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
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25
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Nguyen VT, Ndoye A, Shultz LD, Pittelkow MR, Grando SA. Antibodies against keratinocyte antigens other than desmogleins 1 and 3 can induce pemphigus vulgaris-like lesions. J Clin Invest 2000; 106:1467-79. [PMID: 11120754 PMCID: PMC387253 DOI: 10.1172/jci10305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease of skin adhesion associated with autoantibodies against a number of keratinocyte antigens, such as the adhesion molecules desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 3 and acetylcholine receptors. The notion that anti-Dsg antibodies alone are responsible for blisters in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) stems from the ability of rDsg1 and rDsg3 to absorb antibodies that cause PV-like skin blisters in neonatal mice. Here, we demonstrate that PV IgGs eluted from rDsg1-Ig-His and rDsg3-Ig-His show similar antigenic profiles, including the 38-, 43-, 115-, and 190-kDa keratinocyte proteins and a non-Dsg 3 130-kDa polypeptide present in keratinocytes from Dsg 3 knockout mouse. We injected into Dsg 3-lacking mice the PV IgGs that did not cross-react with the 160-kDa Dsg 1 or its 45-kDa immunoreactive fragment and that showed no reactivity with recombinant Dsg 1. We used both the Dsg3(null) mice with a targeted mutation of the Dsg3 gene and the "balding" Dsg3(bal)/Dsg3(bal) mice that carry a spontaneous null mutation in Dsg3. These PV IgGs caused gross skin blisters with PV-like suprabasal acantholysis and stained perilesional epidermis in a fishnet-like pattern, indicating that the PV phenotype can be induced without anti-Dsg 3 antibody. The anti-Dsg 1 antibody also was not required, as its presence in PV IgG does not alter the PV-like phenotype in skin organ cultures and because pemphigus foliaceus IgGs produce a distinct phenotype in Dsg3(null) mice. Therefore, mucocutaneous lesions in PV patients could be caused by non-Dsg antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V T Nguyen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA
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26
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Nguyen VT, Ndoye A, Grando SA. Novel human alpha9 acetylcholine receptor regulating keratinocyte adhesion is targeted by Pemphigus vulgaris autoimmunity. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2000; 157:1377-91. [PMID: 11021840 PMCID: PMC1850172 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)64651-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2000] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially fatal autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease. It was assumed that PV is caused by anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 3 autoimmunity because absorption of PV sera with a chimeric baculoprotein containing the Dsg 3 and IgG1 portions, rDsg3-Ig-His, eliminated disease-causing antibodies. In this study we demonstrate that rDsg3-Ig-His adsorbs out autoantibodies to different keratinocyte antigens, including a non-Dsg 3 130-kd polypeptide. Because the pool of disease-causing PV IgGs contains antibodies against the keratinocyte acetylcholine receptor (AChR), we sought to identify the targeted receptor(s). Preincubation of monkey esophagus with PV antibodies blocked specific staining of the keratinocyte cell membrane with rabbit monoepitopic antibody to alpha9 AChR, indicating that this first of its kind AChR with dual, muscarinic and nicotinic pharmacology is targeted by PV autoimmunity. Anti-alpha9 antibody stained keratinocytes in a fishnet-like intercellular pattern, and visualized a single band at approximately 50 kd in Western blots of keratinocyte membrane proteins. Using step-by-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions with primers based on known alpha9 sequence regions, we identified the complete reading frame of human alpha9. Its amino acid sequence showed 85% similarity with rat alpha9. Treatment of keratinocyte monolayers with anti-alpha9 antibody induced pemphigus-like acantholysis, which could be reversed either spontaneously or by using the cholinergic agonist carbachol. We conclude that alpha9 is coupled to physiological regulation of keratinocyte adhesion, and its interaction with PV IgG may lead to blister development.
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Affiliation(s)
- V T Nguyen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
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Rufaut NW, Pearson AJ, Nixon AJ, Wheeler TT, Wilkins RJ. Identification of differentially expressed genes during a wool follicle growth cycle induced by prolactin. J Invest Dermatol 1999; 113:865-72. [PMID: 10594723 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.1999.00775.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The wool follicles of New Zealand Wiltshire sheep can be induced to undergo growth cycles by manipulating circulating prolactin levels. Altered patterns of gene expression through this cycle were examined using differential display, and nine sequence tags for differentially expressed genes were isolated. Four of these tags were identified as fragments of known genes, encoding a wool keratin, KRTAP3.2, a desmosome component, desmoglein 1, an epithelial cell marker, stratifin, and a protein kinase, Clk3. All four genes were shown to be downregulated in telogen skin compared with anagen. In situ hybridization showed that all had localization patterns which included cells that are absent in telogen. The stratifin tag was used to clone a cDNA that incorporated a complete open-reading frame for ovine stratifin. Ovine stratifin is similar to the human form, showing only six single residue differences in the predicted amino acid sequence. Stratifin probably acts as a regulator of other proteins involved in trichocyte cell cycling and differentiation. Clk3 is involved in regulating RNA splicing. KRTAP3.2 and Dsg1 both play structural roles in hair follicles. The other five tags, including two representing genes that were upregulated during catagen, could not be identified by homology. Differential display is an effective means of identifying genes involved in follicle function and, potentially, of genes controlling the growth cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- N W Rufaut
- AgResearch Ruakura, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Koch PJ, Mahoney MG, Cotsarelis G, Rothenberger K, Lavker RM, Stanley JR. Desmoglein 3 anchors telogen hair in the follicle. J Cell Sci 1998; 111 ( Pt 17):2529-37. [PMID: 9701552 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.111.17.2529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the function of desmosomes in the normal structure and function of hair. Therefore, it was surprising that mice without desmoglein 3 (the autoantigen in pemphigus vulgaris) not only developed mucous membrane and skin lesions like pemphigus patients, but also developed hair loss. Analysis of this phenotype indicated that hair was normal through the first growth phase (‘follicular neogenesis’). Around day 20, however, when the hair follicles entered the resting phase of the hair growth cycle (telogen), mice with a targeted disruption of the desmoglein 3 gene (DSG3-/-) lost hair in a wave-like pattern from the head to the tail. Hair then regrew and was lost again in the same pattern with the next synchronous hair cycle. In adults, hair was lost in patches. Gentle hair pulls with adhesive tape showed that anagen (growing) hairs were firmly anchored in DSG3-/- mice, but telogen hairs came out in clumps compared to that of DSG3+/− and +/+ littermates in which telogen hairs were firmly anchored. Histology of bald skin areas in DSG3-/- mice showed cystic telogen hair follicles without hair shafts. Histology of hair follicles in early telogen, just before clinical hair loss occurred, showed loss of cell adhesion (acantholysis) between the cells surrounding the telogen club and the basal layer of the outer root sheath epithelium. Electron microscopy revealed ‘half-desmosomes’ at the plasma membranes of acantholytic cells. Similar acantholytic histology and ultrastructural findings have been previously reported in skin and mucous membrane lesions of DSG3-/- mice and pemphigus vulgaris patients. Immunoperoxidase staining with an antibody raised against mouse desmoglein 3 showed intense staining on the cell surface of keratinocytes surrounding the telogen hair club in normal mice. Similar staining was seen in human telogen hair with an anti-human desmoglein 3 antibody. Finally, a scalp biopsy from a pemphigus vulgaris patient showed empty telogen hair follicles. These data demonstrate that desmoglein 3 is not only critical for cell adhesion in the deep stratified squamous epithelium, but also for anchoring the telogen hair to the outer root sheath of the follicle and underscore the importance of desmosomes in maintaining the normal structure and function of hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Koch
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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