Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed with probes targeting Prrx1 (GenBank accession #NM_011127.2) mRNA by using the RNAscope Fluorescent Multiplex Detection Kit (Advanced Cell Diagnostics) according to the manufacturer instructions and as described previously (Wang et al., 2018 (link), Saraswat et al., 2021a (link)). Fixed sections were baked at 60°C for 30 minutes, washed with ethanol, tissue pretreatment with proprietary buffers. Probes were then hybridized and fluorescent conjugated. Sections were counterstained with DAPI to visualize nuclei. Positive signals were identified as punctate dots present in nucleus and cytoplasm.