Shar Pei

Shar Pei has a short back, a small body, a head larger than its torso, a black nose, and a deep blue tongue. One of its main characteristics is the wrinkles all over its body. In humans, wrinkles usually indicate aging, so why does the Shar Pei have so many wrinkles?

Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona discovered that Shar Peis all have mucinous deposition disease, which is caused by genetic disorders. The significance of this study lies in helping Shar Peis better reproduce and improve their health. The mucinous deposition disease in Shar Peis results from the accumulation of hyaluronic acid (one of the main components in the extracellular space of tissues) in their skin structure. This accumulation causes very high concentrations of hyaluronic acid in their blood. After culturing fibroblasts isolated from Shar Pei skin for research, scientists confirmed that the massive synthesis of hyaluronic acid is due to an abnormal increase (overexpression) in the activity of an enzyme called HAS2, one of the three enzymes responsible for acid synthesis in mammals.

Hyaluronic acid mainly exists in the spaces of various tissue cells, and in Shar Peis, hyaluronic acid continuously accumulates in the skin tissue and blood vessels, eventually leading to mucinous deposition disease. Scientists' research on the Shar Pei skin fibroblast tissue shows that an enzyme called HAS2 is the "culprit." Scientists are studying what gene mutations cause this enzyme's abnormality, and this research is also highly significant for humans.

So, does the Shar Pei have many unique features? If you are interested in Shar Peis, then hurry up and get one.