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Fig. 2. {alpha}3-integrin deficiency in adult skin causes abnormalities in hair follicle morphology. H&E-stained sections of WT (A and C) and {alpha}3-integrin-deficient (B and D-G) adult skin grafts. Interfollicular epidermis (A and B) appeared normal in both WT and {alpha}3-integrin-deficient skin grafts. WT hair follicles appeared normal (C), but {alpha}3-integrin-deficient hair follicles at the same age were generally more stunted. In stark contrast with WT skin, longitudinal sections through {alpha}3-integrin-deficient skin revealed several abnormalities, including hair follicle clusters containing multiple hair shafts (E), aberrant pigment deposition (F) and uneven spacing of hair follicles (G). 11-15 skin grafts for each genotype were analysed. (H) Quantification of the percentage of clusters±s.e.m.; n=11-15 for each genotype;

P*<0.005. (I) Quantification of the percentage of hair follicles with aberrant pigment deposition±s.e.m.; n=11-15 for each genotype;

P*<0.005. Over 500 follicles per genotype were analysed. Arrows, pigment deposits; arrowheads, clustered hair follicles; brackets, unevenly spaced hair follicles. Bar represents 50 µm in A, B and D; 100 µm in C, E, F and G.