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Review
. 2016 Dec;73(24):4623-4642.
doi: 10.1007/s00018-016-2312-0. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

Genetically modified laboratory mice with sebaceous glands abnormalities

Carmen Ehrmann  1 , Marlon R Schneider  2
Affiliations
Review

Genetically modified laboratory mice with sebaceous glands abnormalities

Carmen Ehrmann et al. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Sebaceous glands (SG) are exocrine glands that release their product by holocrine secretion, meaning that the whole cell becomes a secretion following disruption of the membrane. SG may be found in association with a hair follicle, forming the pilosebaceous unit, or as modified SG at different body sites such as the eyelids (Meibomian glands) or the preputial glands. Depending on their location, SG fulfill a number of functions, including protection of the skin and fur, thermoregulation, formation of the tear lipid film, and pheromone-based communication. Accordingly, SG abnormalities are associated with several diseases such as acne, cicatricial alopecia, and dry eye disease. An increasing number of genetically modified laboratory mouse lines develop SG abnormalities, and their study may provide important clues regarding the molecular pathways regulating SG development, physiology, and pathology. Here, we summarize in tabulated form the available mouse lines with SG abnormalities and, focusing on selected examples, discuss the insights they provide into SG biology and pathology. We hope this survey will become a helpful information source for researchers with a primary interest in SG but also as for researchers from unrelated fields that are unexpectedly confronted with a SG phenotype in newly generated mouse lines.

Keywords: Mouse models; Sebaceous gland; Skin.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Morphology of the pilosebaceous unit and fine structure of the sebaceous gland. a H&E-stained human scalp hair follicle in sagittal section showing the different follicular compartments. b High magnification image of the sebaceous gland. The peripheral (P), maturation (M), and necrosis (N) zones are indicated. c Transmission electron micrograph showing flat, undifferentiated sebocytes in the proliferative (P) zone and cells undergoing sebaceous differentiation and bearing numerous lipid droplets (white spots) in the cytoplasm in the maturation (M) zone Reproduced with permission from [18]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Major types of sebaceous glands and their localization in mice. See the text for details and references
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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