Project description:To analyze the gene expression of mouse embryonic lacrimal gland and its developmental related organs such as harderian gland and eye lid. We performed microarray using them.
Project description:The mouse aldehyde oxidase, Aox4 (aldehyde oxidase 4), is a molybdo-flavoenzyme. Harderian glands are the richest source of Aox4, although the protein is detectable also in sebaceous glands, epidermis and other keratinized epithelia. We performed whole genome gene expression experiment on Harderian Gland, White Adipose Tissue and Liver of WT and Aox4-/- animals.
Project description:The mouse aldehyde oxidase, Aoh2 (aldehyde oxidase homolog 2), is a molybdo-flavoenzyme. Harderian glands are the richest source of Aoh2, although the protein is detectable also in sebaceous glands, epidermis and other keratinized epithelia. The levels of Aoh2 in the Harderian gland and skin are controlled by genetic background, being maximal in CD1 or C57BL/6 and minimal in DBA/2, CBA or 129/Sv strains. Testosterone is a negative regulator of Aoh2 in Harderian glands. Homogenously purified Aoh2 oxidizes retinaldehyde into retinoic acid efficiently, while it is devoid of pyridoxal oxidizing activity, unlike other aldehyde oxidases. Aoh2 knockout mice are viable and fertile, although they have an absolute deficit of retinaldehyde oxidase activity in the Harderian gland, decreased retinoic acid levels, and down-regulation of retinoid-dependent genes. The Harderian gland’s transcriptome of knockout mice is characterized by perturbations in pathways controlling lipid homeostasis and cellular secretion. This is particularly evident in sexually immature animals. Lower amounts of retinoic acid are also observed in the skin of Aoh2-/- animals. Knockout mice have thickening of the epidermis in basal conditions and after UV light exposure. This has correlates in the skin transcriptome, which shows enrichment and overall up-regulation of genes involved in hypertrophic responses. Keywords: Gene knockout study
Project description:A unique, lymphoid tissue located adjacent to the eye of the chicken, the Harderian gland is assumed to have critical immune functions, but prior to the current study, its transcriptome had never been analyzed. This study aimed to characterize differential responses between the relatively resistant (Fayoumi) and susceptible (Leghorn) chicken lines when challenged with a high titered lentogenic Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) strain via the eyes and nares at three weeks of age. The Harderian gland was collected from challenged and non-challenged birds from each line at 2, 6, and 10 days-post-infection (dpi) (n=47). High quality RNA was isolated, used for cDNA library construction, and sequenced on the HiSeq2500.
