Ox40-Cre-mediated deletion of BRD4 reveals an unexpected phenotype of hair follicle stem cells in alopecia.

ABSTRACT: BRD4 is a bromodomain extraterminal domain family member and functions primarily as a chromatin reader regulating genes involved in cell-fate decisions. Here, we bred Brd4fl/fl Ox40-Cre mice in which Brd4 was conditionally deleted in OX40-expressing cells to examine the role of BRD4 in regulating immune responses. We found that the Brd4fl/fl Ox40-Cre mice developed profound alopecia and dermatitis, while other organs and tissues were not affected. Surprisingly, lineage-tracing experiments using the Rosa26fl/fl-Yfp mice identified a subset of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) that constitutively express OX40, and deletion of Brd4 specifically in such HFSCs resulted in cell death and a complete loss of skin hair growth. We also found that death of HFSCs triggered massive activation of the int

SUBMITTER: Wen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9746908 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature