Whole genome analysis of skin from three immunologically diverse mouse models

In the present study, the basal expression of the whole transcriptome of Th1 (C57BL/6) versus Th2 (BALB/c) predominant mice as well as a strain on the C57 background lacking a single cytokine, IL-6, was characterized. Total RNA sequencing was performed on untreated C57BL/6 (control), BALB/c, and IL-6 deficient skin samples and found over 3400 genes differentially modulated between strains. It was found each strain modulated it's own transcriptional "profile" associated with skin homeostasis Together, this data not only provides a comprehensive view of the transcriptional changes in homeostatic skin of different mouse strains; but also highlights the possible influence of the Th1/Th2 balance as well as a role for IL-6 in overall skin immunity