VF epithelial cells marker expression at E15.5. (A) TUNEL assay, a black arrow denotes a positive apoptotic cell in brown. (B–E) IHC staining for FOXA2, SOX2, NKX2-1 and K18 respectively, black arrows denote positive cells in brown located in the VF region. (F–I) Double IF K8 and p63 staining at the site of developing VF including details of VF (G, H) and pharyngoglottic duct (I, J). White arrows denote positive K8 superficial cells at the site of developing VF and positive p63 and K8 basal cells at the pharyngoglottic duct. (K, L, M) K5 detection in the VF including details of VF (L) and pharyngoglottic duct (M) respectively, positive cells in brown (black arrows). (N, O, P) Detail of K14 staining and its gradual upregulation in the developing VF (O) and pharyngoglottic duct (P) respectively. Black arrows denote positive cells in brown. Abbreviations: LC—laryngeal cecum; PD—pharyngoglottic duct; VF—vocal folds.