miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 does not affect TECs based on absolute numbers.

<p>A. Flow cytometric analysis of TEC (CD45⁻EpCAM⁺MHC II⁺) subpopulations isolated in mice. The absolute number of total thymocytes, TEC, cTEC (UEA⁻1-Ly51⁺), mTEC (UEA1+),mTEClo (UEA-1⁺Ly51⁻), mTEChi(UEA-1⁺Ly51^-MCHII⁺) is shown in both Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl mice compared to Foxn1-Cre::Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl. This experiment was done two times with at least 3 mice per experiment.</p

Thymic profiles and numbers of cells are not altered due to loss of miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 in TECs.

<p>Flow cytometric analysis for the cell-surface expression of CD4 and CD8 on thymocytes isolated from Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl and Foxn1-Cre::Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl mice. Numbers denote the percentage of cells within the given gates in a representative experiment. B. Thymocytes were harvested at two different time points 6 weeks (B) and 4 months (C). Absolute numbers are shown of the thymic subsets. There were no significant differences between Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl (white) and Foxn1-Cre::Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl mice (filled).</p

The effects of miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 loss on TEC distribution.

<p>Fig 2A. Flow cytometric analysis of TEC (CD45⁻EpCAM⁺) subpopulations isolated in mice. The relative frequency of cTEC (UEA⁻1-Ly51⁺), mTEClo (UEA-1⁺Ly51⁻) mTEChi(UEA-1⁺Ly51⁺I-A^b+) are shown in both Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl mice compared to Foxn1-Cre::Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl. These are representative dot plots. This experiment was performed twice with at least 3 mice per group. Fig 2B. Flow cytometric analysis of TEC (CD45⁻EpCAM⁺) subpopulations isolated in mice. The relative frequency of cTEC (UEA⁻1-Ly51⁺), mTEClo (UEA-1⁺Ly51⁻) mTEChi(UEA-1⁺Ly51⁺I-A^b+) are shown as a percentage in the thymus in both Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl mice compared to Foxn1-Cre::Mir181a1/b1^fl/fl. This experiment was performed twice with at least 3 mice per group. Unpaired non-parametric t test was performed. * = P<0.05, ** = P<0.01.</p