Development of the tight‐skin phenotype in immune‐deficient mice

Objective

To determine if cutaneous thickening, a major phenotypic feature of the tight‐skin (Tsk) mutation, could develop in an immune‐deficient mouse.

Methods

Experimental crosses among different strains of mice were conducted to create mice that were genetically Tsk/+, and that were also homozgyous for a mutation at the Prkdc^scid locus and thus lacked mature T and B lymphocytes. Skin samples prepared from experimental and control genotypic groups of mice were evaluated for skin thickness.

Results

The data showed that the Tsk/+ mice developed the Tsk phenotype in the absence of a functional immune system.

Conclusion

Mature T and B cells are not required for the development of the cutaneous thickening in mice carrying the Tsk mutation.