Mesenchymal Meis2 Controls Whisker Development Independently From Trigeminal Sensory Innervation

This study investigates the role of mesenchymal Meis2 in whisker development in mice, revealing that Meis2 expression in neural crest-derived cells is crucial for whisker formation and trigeminal nerve branching. The research demonstrates that whisker development occurs independently of trigeminal sensory innervation, with MEIS2 in mesenchymal dermal cells directing the early stages of epithelial placode formation and dermal condensation. Although MEIS2 regulates the transcription factor Foxd1, which is associated with pre-dermal condensation, the absence of Foxd1 does not impact whisker development. The findings highlight the importance of mesenchymal MEIS2 in whisker formation, independent of sensory innervation and Foxd1 expression.