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Cxcr4 is transiently expressed in both epithelial and mesenchymal compartments of nascent hair follicles but is not required for follicle formation
Author(s) -
Sennett Rachel,
Rezza Amélie,
Dauber Katherine L.,
Clavel Carlos,
Rendl Michael
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.12523
Subject(s) - hair follicle , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , conditional gene knockout , morphogenesis , cxcr4 , embryonic stem cell , chemokine receptor , chemokine , mesenchymal stem cell , embryogenesis , receptor , embryo , gene , phenotype , genetics
Hair follicle ( HF ) morphogenesis relies on the coordinated exchange of signals between mesenchymal and epithelial compartments of embryonic skin. Chemokine receptor Cxcr4 expression was recently identified in dermal condensates ( DC s) of nascent HF s, but its role in promoting HF morphogenesis remains unknown. Our analyses confirmed Cxcr4 expression in condensate cells, and additionally revealed transient Cxcr4 expression in incipient epithelial hair placodes. Placodal Cxcr4 appeared prior to detection in DC s, representing a switch of expression between epithelial and mesenchymal compartments. To explore the functional role of this receptor in both compartments for early HF formation, we conditionally ablated Cxcr4 with condensate‐targeting Tbx18 cre knock‐in and epidermis‐targeting Krt14‐cre transgenic mice. Conditional knockouts for both crosses were viable throughout embryogenesis and into adulthood. Morphological and biochemical marker analyses revealed comparable numbers of HF s forming in knockout embryos compared to wild‐type littermate controls in both cases, suggesting that neither dermal nor epithelial Cxcr4 expression is required for early HF morphogenesis. We conclude that Cxcr4 expression and chemokine signaling through this receptor in embryonic mouse skin is dispensable for HF formation.