Mice homozygous for Dsg3tm1Stan targeted mutation show loss of cell adhesion, resulting in a phenotype that resembles pemphigus vulgaris. By 15-20 days of age, homozygotes are smaller than unaffected littermates, perhaps due to erosions in the mouth (resulting in decreased food intake). Older mice show crusting lesions in areas of trauma. Histology shows suprabasilar acantholysis (i.e. loss of cell-cell adhesion in the basal and immediate suprabasal area). This is most prominent on oral and vaginal mucous membranes, but is also seen on the skin and eyelids. The mice start to lose hair at 3-4 weeks. The runting and hair loss phenotype are identical to that of a mouse mutant, balding bal. Allele testing indicated that bal is co-allelic with the targeted mutation.

These Dsg3 knock-out mice exhibit loss of cell adhesion with histology showing suprabasilar acantholysis most prominently on oral and vaginal mucous membranes.

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