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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
07:29
Characterization of In Vitro Differentiation of Human Primary Keratinocytes by RNA-Seq Analysis
Published on: May 16, 2020
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Forkhead Box C1 Regulates Human Primary Keratinocyte Terminal Differentiation
Lianghua Bin1,2, Liehua Deng1, Hengwen Yang1
1The First Affiliated Hospital, Biomedical Translational Research Institute, the International Immunology Center and the Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering of Guangdong Province, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Plos One
|December 2, 2016
Summary
Forkhead box c 1 (FOXC1) is a key regulator of keratinocyte (KC) terminal differentiation, essential for skin barrier function. This study identifies FOXC1
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The epidermis forms a crucial protective barrier via keratinocyte (KC) terminal differentiation.
- The specific transcription factors governing this differentiation process are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel transcription factors regulating keratinocyte terminal differentiation.
- To elucidate the role of forkhead box c 1 (FOXC1) in epidermal differentiation.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) profiling of human primary keratinocytes.
- Validation in multiple human KC donors and skin biopsies.
- FOXC1 gene silencing experiments and downstream gene expression analysis.
Main Results:
- FOXC1 expression is significantly upregulated during keratinocyte differentiation.
- FOXC1 silencing impairs the expression of late differentiation markers, including epidermal differentiation complex, keratinization, and cell-adhesion genes.
- FOXC1 acts downstream of ZNF750 and KLF4, and upstream of GRHL3 in the differentiation network.
Conclusions:
- FOXC1 is identified as a specific regulator of keratinocyte terminal differentiation.
- This study positions FOXC1 within the genetic regulatory network controlling epidermal barrier formation.
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