EXPERIMENTAL FIGURE 18-50 Transgenic mice carrying a mutant keratin gene exhibit blistering similar to that in the human disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Histological sections through the skin of a normal mouse and a transgenic mouse carrying a mutant K14 keratin gene are shown. In the normal mouse, the skin consists of a hard outer epidermal layer covering and in contact with the soft inner dermal layer. In the skin from the transgenic mouse, the two layers are separated (arrow) due to weakening of the cells at the base of the epidermis.

[Republished with permission from Elsevier: from Coulombe et al., “Point mutations in human keratin 14 genes of epidermolysis bullosa simplex patients,” Cell, 1991, 66:6, pp.1301-1311; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.]