Hair loss and cyst formation in hairless and rhino mutant mice.

Abstract

AbstractStructural abnormalities begin in the integument of hairless (hrhr), hairless‐rhino (hrhrrh), and rhino (hrrhhrrh) male and female mutant mice prior to the end of the first hair growth cycle. The pilary canals begin to widen and accumulate keratin and sebaceous material. During the first catagen phase the lower internal root sheath coalesces around the terminal part of the hair shaft and abnormal club hairs form. The lower part of the external root sheath fails to follow the ascending club hair and becomes stranded in the dermis. The abnormal club hairs move above their normal anchoring position and fall out of the follicle at the end of the first growth cycle. The formation of abnormal club hairs and the loss of hair probably are related to the mispositioning of the internal root sheath. Subsequent to the loss of hair there are changes in the sebaceous glands and adipose tissue, disorganization of the peripheral neurovascular system, and the formation of cysts that are associated with either the pilary canals or with epithelial units of disorganized hair follicles stranded in the dermis. Cysts arise from proliferation of epithelial tissue; sebaceous cells are not necessary for cyst formation.Comparisons among similar and dissimilar anomalies indicate that the degree of gene action on the integument is in the following order of increased severity: hrhr, hrhrrh, and hrrhhrrh.