Col4a2 mRNA expression in developing hair follicles. (A) Confocal images of Col4a2 mRNA expression in control and MMP inhibitor-treated developing hair follicles, obtained via RNAscope. The signals were detected 16 h after the addition of the MMP inhibitor batimastat. Scale bar: 20 μm. (B) Quantitative analysis of Col4a2 mRNA expression in control and MMP inhibitor-treated developing hair follicles in different tissue regions. (n = 9 follicles from five explants, each from an independent experiment for the control, and n = 7 follicles from six explants, each from an independent experiment for the inhibitor-treated). Scale bar: 20 μm. Values: means ± SD. DP: dermal papilla. Two-tailed unpaired t tests were used. Data distribution was assumed to be normal, but this was not formally tested.