Krt6a-Cre Transgenic Mice Direct LoxP-Mediated Recombination to the Companion Cell Layer of the Hair Follicle and Following Induction by Retinoic Acid to the Interfollicular Epidermis

The study used Krt6a-Cre transgenic mice to achieve LoxP-mediated recombination in the companion cell layer of the hair follicle and, when induced by retinoic acid, in the interfollicular epidermis. The Krt6a promoter facilitated targeted gene inactivation in these cell populations, providing a method to study gene effects on hair follicle development, particularly in signaling pathways like hedgehog and Wnt. The inducible promoter allowed for differentiation of gene function between follicle cells and interfollicular epidermis, offering insights into tumor suppressor genes and hair follicle development.