Reduced THBS1 expression in Fut1 KO splenocytes compared to WT splenocytes
To validate the RNA-seq data, we performed real-time RT-PCR assays onFut1 KO and WT splenocytes. The results confirmed a 5.9-fold or greater increase in THBS1 transcript levels in Fut1 KO splenocytes compared to WT splenocytes (Fig. 1F ). In contrast, THBS1 transcript levels in the corneal tissue did not show any significant difference between Fut1 KO and WT mice (Fig. 1F ).
Moreover, we assessed the proportion of THBS1-expressing cells in splenocytes using flow cytometry. The percentage of THBS1+ cells among total splenocytes was significantly higher in Fut1 KO mice than in WT mice (Fig. 1G ).
Taken together, the results indicate that FUT1 deficiency in splenocytes leads to a reduction in the expression of THBS1 at both mRNA and protein levels.