Dynamic expression of Tbx2 and Tbx3 in developing mouse pancreas

Tbx2 and Tbx3 are closely related members of the T-box family of transcription factors that are important regulators during normal development as well as major contributors to human developmental syndromes when mutated. Although there is evidence for the involvement of Tbx2 and Tbx3 in pancreatic cancer, so far there are no reports characterizing the normal expression pattern of these genes in the pancreas. In this study, we examined spatial and temporal expression of Tbx2 and Tbx3 in mouse pancreas during development and in the adult using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Our results show that Tbx2 and Tbx3 are both expressed in the pancreatic mesenchyme throughout development beginning at embryonic day (E) 9.5. In addition, Tbx2 is expressed in pancreatic vasculature during development and in epithelial-derived endocrine and ductal cells during late fetal stages, postnatal development and in adult pancreas. In contrast, Tbx3 is expressed in exocrine tissue in the postnatal and adult pancreas. Further our results demonstrate that Tbx2 and Tbx3 are expressed in tumor-derived endocrine and exocrine cell lines, respectively. These dynamic changes in the expression pattern of these transcription factors lay the foundation for investigation of potential roles in pancreas development.