Learning from Zebrafish Hematopoiesis

Abstract

Hematopoiesis is a complex process that tightly regulates the generation, proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of hematopoietic cells. Disruptions in hematopoiesis can lead to various diseases affecting both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic systems, such as leukemia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic granuloma. The zebrafish serves as a powerful vertebrate model for studying hematopoiesis, offering valuable insights into both hematopoietic regulation and hematopoietic diseases. In this chapter, we present a comprehensive overview of zebrafish hematopoiesis, highlighting its distinctive characteristics in hematopoietic processes. We discuss the ontogeny and modulation of both primitive and definitive hematopoiesis, as well as the microenvironment that supports hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Additionally, we explore the utility of zebrafish as a disease model and its potential in drug discovery, which not only advances our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying hematopoiesis but also facilitates the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies for hematopoietic diseases.

Keywords: Disease models; Hematopoiesis; Hematopoietic diseases; Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells; Zebrafish.