The tight skin 2 mouse: An animal model of scleroderma displaying cutaneous fibrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration

Objective. To describe the histopathologic and biochemical characteristics of skin from the Tsk2/+ mouse, a mutation with phenotypic features resembling those of systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to report the initial genetic mapping of the Tsk2 locus. Methods. Histologic examination was performed and collagen content and type I collagen messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were determined in skin biopsy specimens from Tsk2/+ mice and normal mice. An inter-subspecific backcross was conducted as a first step toward identifying the position of the Tsk2 locus on mouse chromosome 1. Results. Histologic examination of Tsk2/+ mouse skin revealed marked accumulation of collagen and infiltration with mononuclear cells in the dermis and adipose tissue, Biochemical studies of Tsk2/+ mouse skin showed increased collagen content and elevated steady-state levels of alpha 1(I) procollagen mRNA. Tsk2 was mapped to a 15.3-centimorgan interval on mouse chromosome 1. Conclusion. Tsk2 is a novel mutation which displays histopathologic and biochemical abnormalities similar to those present in the skin of patients with SSc, including increased collagen content and expression of type I collagen genes, This mutation has been mapped to a 15.3-cM region on mouse chromosome 1. Further study of this novel mutation will allow the identification of previously undescribed mechanisms involved in the regulation of normal and pathologic collagen gene expression.