Sebaceous Gland Abnormalities in Fatty Acyl CoA Reductase 2 (Far2) Null Mice Result in Follicular Dystrophy and Primary Cicatricial Alopecia

In a study conducted on Far2 null mice, researchers observed focal areas of alopecia linked to sebaceous gland abnormalities. Unlike normal mice, the sebocytes in these mutant mice became brightly eosinophilic and failed to rupture properly, leading to follicular dystrophy and primary cicatricial alopecia. The study noted dystrophic or ruptured hair follicles with trichogranuloma formation. Additionally, the Meibomian glands showed dilated ducts with similar sebocyte changes. Lipid analysis revealed reduced levels of wax esters, cholesterol ester, ceramides, and diacylglycerols in Far2 null mice compared to wildtype controls. These findings suggested that mutations affecting lipid metabolism, as seen in other conditions like asebia and bareskin, could lead to primary cicatricial alopecias in mice.