Mice homozygous for the Dsg4lah-J mutation completely lack vibrissae and develop only very short hair that resembles peach fuzz. This is lost by a few months of age, leaving these mice bald. They are runted from birth throughout life. These mice have hyperplasia in the interfollicular epidermis that leads to thickened skin, and their skin wrinkles as they age. Transmission electron micrographs of epidermis from Dsg4lah-J homozygotes reveals acantholysis with small, poorly formed, and dislodged desmosomes. Rather than the normal gradual transition of keratinocytes from proliferation to differentiation in the lower hair follicle, the lanceolate hair mice show a premature, abrupt switch. Above the melanogenic zone a swelling forms that subsequently is pushed out by continued growth of the hair shaft to become the distal tip of the hair. Lanceolate hair mice take their name from the resulting lance-head shape of the hair. The less severely affected homozygotes can be used for breeding. Mice homozygous for either Dsg4lah or Dsg4lah-J have elevated serum IgE. (Montagutelli et al., 1996; Sundberg et al., 2000; Kljuic et al., 2003.)

These mice carry a spontaneous mutation at the Dsg4 locus characterized by thick skin, a failure to develop normal fur, and a lack of vibrissae.

Typically mice are recovered in 12-16 weeks. Contact Customer Service to place an order or for more information.

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