P63 Targeted Deletion Under the FOXN1 Promoter Disrupts Pre- and Post-Natal Thymus Development, Function, and Maintenance, and Induces Severe Hair Loss

The study investigated the role of the p63 gene in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and hair follicle formation by creating a mouse model (p63TECko mice) with targeted deletion of p63 in TECs. The findings revealed that adult p63TECko mice exhibited severe thymic hypoplasia, with a lack of segregation into medullary and cortical compartments, and peripheral T cell lymphopenia, indicating a critical role for p63 in both neonatal and embryonic thymic development and function. Additionally, despite normal p63 expression in the skin, all adult p63TECko mice lacked hair follicles, underscoring the importance of p63 in hair follicle formation. This study highlights the essential function of p63 in thymus development, maintenance, and hair growth.