Nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit determines the fate of aging epithelial cells

Nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling is not only important for the immune and inflammatory responses but also for the normal development of epithelial cells, such as those in the skin and tooth. Here, we generated epithelial cell-specific p65-deficient (p65Δepi−/−) mice to analyze the roles of NF-κB signaling in epithelial cell developent. Notably, p65Δepi−/− mice exhibited no abnormalities in their appearance compared to the control (p65flox/flox) littermates. Furthermore, no major changes were observed in the skin, hair growth, and shape and color of the incisors and molars. However, 65 % of p65Δepi−/− mice exhibited corneal thickening after 8 weeks of age, and 30 % of p65Δepi−/− mice exhibited hair growth from the mandibular incisors around 24 weeks of age. No hair growth was observed at 36 and 42 weeks of age. However, micro-computed tomography images revealed a large cavity below the mandibular incisors extending to the root of the incisor. Histological analysis revealed that the cavity was occupied by a connective tissue containing hair-like structures with many dark brown granules that disappeared after melanin bleaching, confirming the presence of hair. Although inflammatory cells were also observed near the eruption site of the incisor teeth of p65Δepi−/− mice, no major disturbance was observed in the arrangement of enamel epithelial cells. Overall, these results highlight the role of p65 in the maintenance of epithelial cell homeostasis during aging. •Epithelial-specific p65-deficient (p65Δepi−/−) mice grew without any abnormalities.•Corneal thickening and plaque formation occurred with aging.•Hair growth was observed on the labial side of lower incisors from ∼24 weeks of age.•p65 contributed to the maintenance of epithelial cell homeostasis during aging.