title: Comparative anatomy of mouse and human nail units.
abstract: Recent studies of mice with hair defects have resulted in major contributions to the understanding of hair disorders. To use mouse models as a tool to study nail diseases, a basic understanding of the similarities and differences between the human and mouse nail unit is required. In this study we compare the human and mouse nail unit at the macroscopic and microscopic level and use immunohistochemistry to determine the keratin expression patterns in the mouse nail unit. Both species have a proximal nail fold, cuticle, nail matrix, nail bed, nail plate, and hyponychium. Distinguishing features are the shape of the nail and the presence of an extended hyponychium in the mouse. Expression patterns of most keratins are similar. These findings indicate that the mouse nail unit shares major characteristics with the human nail unit and overall represents a very similar structure, useful for the investigation of nail diseases and nail biology.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, DC 98195-6524, USA.
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Fleckman
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Jaeger
authors: Kathleen A
authors: KA
authors: Silva
authors: John P
authors: JP
authors: Sundberg
mesh_terms: D000717:Anatomy, Comparative; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009262:Nails / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011187:Posture; D013045:Species Specificity; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007633:Keratins