Fig 6. Increased proliferation in both matrix keratinocytes and DP cells in CD133-CreER^T2; Rosa-rtTA; tetO-Ctnnb1^ΔN hair follicles.

Co-expression of Ki67 (green) and Lef1 (red) was examined in skin samples collected from CD133-CreER^T2; Rosa-rtTA; tetO-Ctnnb1^ΔN mice and control littermates at P32 (control: A; mutant: E) and P35 (control: B; mutant: F). Paraffin slides from BrdU-incorporated skin biopsies co-stained with anti-versican antibody showing enlarged DP compartment in hair follicles of from CD133-CreER^T2; Rosa-rtTA; tetO-Ctnnb1^ΔN mice with increased numbers of proliferating DP cells and matrix cells (G) than in littermate controls (C). Cyclin D1 staining indicated accelerated cell cycle progression in hair matrix cells when ΔN-β-catenin was expressed in CD133+ DP cells (H). Images shown are representative of at least three replicates at each indicated age. Total cell number (I) and number of Lef1+ DP cells (J) in each hair follicle at P28 and P35 were counted and compared between CD133-CreER^T2; Rosa-rtTA; tetO-Ctnnb1^ΔN mice and control littermates. 20 hair follicles were counted for each mouse (mean ± s.d.). For each indicated age, at least three pairs of mutant and control mice were used. Scale bars: 200 μm for A-C and E-G; 100 μm for D and H.