The forkhead box F1 transcription factor is expressed in brain and head mesenchyme during mouse embryonic development

The forkhead box f1 (Foxf1) transcription factor is expressed in septum transversum mesenchyme and splanchnic (visceral) mesoderm, which give rise to mesenchymal cells of gut-derived organs such as liver, gall bladder, lung, stomach, and intestine. Foxf1 -/- embryos die in utero and haploinsufficiency of the Foxf1 gene resulted in a variety of developmental abnormalities of the lung, gall bladder, esophagus, and trachea and caused defects in liver and lung repair. In this study, we used Foxf1 +/- mouse embryos containing the beta-Galactosidase (beta-Gal) gene knocked into the Foxf1 locus to examine whether Foxf1 is expressed in the developing brain and head region. In addition to previously reported Foxf1 expression patterns, beta-Gal staining was also found in the mesenchyme of developing pituitary gland, eye, pancreas, heart, notochord, genital tubercle, Meckel's cartilage, and cartilage primordia of nasal septum and vertebral bodies. In adult Foxf1 +/- mice, beta-Gal staining was detected in anterior and posterior pituitary gland, astrocytes of the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, lens and retina of the eye, tracheal cartilage, parathyroid, cortical layer of thymus, capsule of the spleen, coronary arteries, and pancreatic blood vessels.