Fig. 5. Hair-loss phenotype in Dsc3^fl/fl/K14-Cre mice. (A) Beginning around the time of weaning, mutant mice developed hair loss that started at the head and proceeded towards the tail. (B,C) Tape-stripping experiments indicated telogen hair loss in mutant (Mut) but not wild-type (Wt) mice. A single cell layer of epithelial cells (stained blue with a histological dye in B) was still attached to the telogen hair club of loosely anchored mutant hair (bracket in B). (D). Staining of wild-type telogen skin with a DSC3 antibody. The two epithelial cell layers surrounding the club (arrow) express DSC3. (E) Acantholysis (arrow) between the two cell layers anchoring the telogen club hair in mutant skin. (F) Cyst formation (stars) in mutant skin resulting from telogen hair loss. Bars, 50 µm.