Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
p63 protein levels in hair follicles of Pomeranian dogs with alopecia
By Della Salda, Leonardo et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2023·Department of Veterinary Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: p63 immunoexpression in hair follicles of normal and alopecia X-affected skin of Pomeranian dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Pomeranian dogs with alopecia X, a condition that causes hair loss, had skin biopsies taken to study changes in a specific protein called p63 that is important for hair growth. The researchers found that the dogs with alopecia X had lower levels of p63 in certain hair follicles compared to healthy dogs. This suggests that p63 might play a role in the hair loss seen in these dogs. Understanding this could help in developing better treatments for alopecia X in Pomeranians.
People also search for: Pomeranian hair loss treatment · alopecia X in dogs · p63 protein role in dog hair growth
Abstract
BACKGROUND: 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. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: 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. ANIMALS: Skin biopsies from 19 alopecia X-affected and six control Pomeranians were analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: Dogs with alopecia X had a significantly decreased immunoexpression of p63 in telogen and kenogen hair follicles. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The decrease of p63 immunoexpression observed in canine alopecia X suggests an involvement of p63 in hair cycle.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37518946/