P63 immunoexpression in hair follicles of normal and alopecia X-affected skin of Pomeranian dogs.

Abstract

Alopecia X in Pomeranians is caused by a hair cycle deregulation, associated with downregulation of key regulatory genes of the Wnt and Shh pathways, and stem-cell markers. However, the pathogenesis remains unclear. p63 is an important transcription factor correlated with the aforementioned hair cycle modulating genes. The aim of this study was to highlight possible changes of p63 immunohistochemical expression within the hair follicles in canine alopecia X compared with normal skin. Skin biopsies from 19 alopecia X-affected and six control Pomeranians were analysed. Serial histological sections of skin biopsies harbouring anagen, telogen and kenogen hair follicles were immunohistochemically evaluated for differences in p63 expression in the affected and control samples. Dogs with alopecia X had a significantly decreased immunoexpression of p63 in telogen and kenogen hair follicles. The decrease of p63 immunoexpression observed in canine alopecia X suggests an involvement of p63 in hair cycle.