Alopecia Areata Model Introduction

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition characterized by localized hair loss, and it is widely studied in laboratory mice as a model for understanding the disease. Mice, particularly specific strains like C57BL/6, have been utilized to dissect the underlying mechanisms of alopecia areata and to test potential therapies. Studying alopecia areata in mice offers invaluable insights into the immune responses and hair follicle biology that are relevant to human cases of the disorder.

Results

• Animals: C3H/HeJ mice, Male, 6-8 weeks
• Reagents: Imiquimod
• Methods: Mice receive topical application of imiquimod (80 mg) on neck skin (1.5 cm x 1.5 cm). Image J software is used to calculate the area of hair loss. At the endpoint, spleen and lymph nodes (lymphoglandulae auriculares posteriores) are collected and weighed, and neck skin is collected for H&E staining.

Figure 1. Mice receive topical application of imiquimod (80 mg) on day 0, 2, 4, 7,9,11. Pictures of the hair loss were recorded on day 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 and 14 (A). Image J software were used to calculated the area of hair loss (B). At the endpoint, spleen and lymphoglandulae auriculares posteriores were collected and weighed (C).
Notations：AA= Alopecia Areata
IMQ=Imiquimod

Figure 2. Neck skin was collected for IHC (A, B) and H&E staining (C, D). In imiquimod induced alopecia areata model mice, observed an increase in CD4+, CD8+ and MHC I+ cells in skin (B). Epidermal was thicker in modeling mice (C , D).