FoxN1 in K14 Promoter-Driven Epithelium Is Required for Generation and Maintenance of 3D-Thymus Medulla and Preventing Nude Phenotype in the Skin
April 2010
in “
The journal of immunology/The Journal of immunology
”
TLDR FoxN1 gene is crucial for proper thymus structure and normal skin appearance.
The study demonstrated that deletion of the FoxN1 gene in K-14 promoter-driven epithelium led to the loss of the 3D-thymus medullary structure, resulting in the formation of numerous alveolus-like 2D-epithelial cysts. These cysts exhibited an immature thymic epithelial cell (TEC) phenotype and expanded with age. Additionally, the FoxN1 deletion caused hair follicle defects and a nude phenotype in the skin but did not result in athymia. This research provided new insights into the gene regulation of 3D-thymus epithelial structure and highlighted the distinct roles of FoxN1 in the thymus and skin.