R667 (palovarotene, CAS410528-02-8)(17 ) and NRX 204647(13 (link)) are RARγ agonists and were synthesized by Atomax Chemicals (Shenzhen, China). RARγ antagonists CD2665 (CAS 170355-78-9)(18 (link)) and MM11253 (CAS345952-44-5)(19 (link)) were purchased from Tocris Biosciences (Bristol, UK). RARγ antagonist 7a was synthesized by Atomax Chemicals (Shenzhen, China) according to the world patent application WO 2005/066115 A2. The concentrations of retinoids used for animal experiments were 1 mg/kg for NRX 204647 and 4 mg/kg for all other compounds unless indicated. Stock solutions of retinoids in DMSO (D2650; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) were stored at −30°C under argon. Before administration, 30 μl aliquots of stock solution were mixed with 70 μl of corn oil (C8267; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) for each dose, and administered to mice by oral gavage using a 20-gauge gavage needle (Fine Science Tools, Foster City, CA) at indicated time points. Vehicle control mice received 30 μl DMSO plus 70 μl corn oil in the same manner.