FIG. 2.
Dexamethasone (DX)-induced effect on Wnt-4, Foxn1, adipocyte-related genes, and general morphology of the thymus. Foxn1 and Wnt-4 gene expression pattern (A) of purified control and DX-treated thymic epithelial cell (TEC) control (□), for 24 h (▪). Gray bars () represent gene expression 168 h after DX treatment and asterisks (*p < 0.05) indicate significant differences (n = 3 in each group). Note the scale differences for gene expression. Thymic sections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)- and DX-treated mice (24 h) were stained with a-EpCAM1-FITC (green) and a-Ly51-PE (red) monoclonal antibodies to reveal medullary and cortical compartments. The staining revealed depletion of mTECs following 24 h of DX administration. Images are representative of three independent experiments (B, left). Wnt-4 expression of control and DX-treated thymi is also shown (B, right). Wnt-4-Northern Lights 557 (red) and EpCAM1-FITC (green) in Ctrl and DX-treated thymi are presented (24 h). Images are representative of three independent experiments. Induction of adipose tissue-related genes in TEC following DX-treatment. (C) Expression of lamina associated polypeptide-2α (LAP2α), peroxisome proliferator activator receptor-γ (PPARγ), and adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) were tested in TECs 168 h after a single DX injection and was found to be elevated in DX-treated samples (▪) (with an exception of ADRP), compared to control (□). Gene expression was normalized to 18S rRNA. All bars show means ± standard deviation (SD). Results are representative of three independent experiments (n = 3).