The tight-skin mouse: physical and biochemical properties of the skin.

The tight-skin (TSK) mouse has unusual structural skin properties. These include increased thickness of the dermis, increased tensile strength, and increased adherence to subcutaneous tissues. We have investigated several physical and biochemical characteristics of skin from the TSK mouse and compared them to the normal mouse. An increase in thickness, wet weight, and hydroxyproline content was found in the skin of the TSK mouse. In addition, there was an increase in the ratio of soluble to insoluble collagen in the TSK mouse when compared to the normal mouse. These findings in the skin of the TSK mouse are similar to the changes found in the skin of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.