The Zebrafish as a Tool to Study Hematopoiesis, Human Blood Diseases, and Immune Function

摘要

Over the last decade, the zebrafish has cemented itself as a unique model system for providing new insights into the regulatory factors required for vertebrate hematopoiesis. In particular, the ease of genetic manipulation together with the transparency of embryos facilitating high resolution imaging has enabled the fate mapping of a host of blood cell lineages. Most notably, this has included the detailed evaluation of the origin and emergence of hematopoietic stem cells. Genetic conservation between zebrafish and mammals and the construction of well-annotated detailed genomic databases have permitted the use of a number of forward and reverse genetic approaches to study a variety of benign and malignant human blood disorders in this organism. These studies have revealed new molecular players underlying human phenotypes as well as providing platforms both for genetic screens to identify novel interacting partners as well as chemical modifier screens to reveal compounds that may represent new therapeutic strategies. Conserved hematopoietic cell biology extends across the innate and adaptive immune systems, fueling a recent growth of research focused on exploiting the advantages of the zebrafish system to examine vertebrate host-pathogen interactions and the contributions of individual cell subtypes to innate and adaptive immune responses. This special issue highlights some of the most recent and profound contributions provided by the zebrafish model system to understand hematopoiesis, hematopoietic malignancies, and the vertebrate immune system. As a volume, it highlights the tremendous accomplishments achieved in these diverse areas of hematology using the zebrafish model to date and sets the stage for continued advancement in all spheres of hematology, oncology, and immunology using this highly genetically conserved, easily manipulated, and clearly visualized remarkable organism.