Zebrafish: an exciting model for investigating the spatio-temporal pattern of enteric nervous system development

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Neuroscience
• Zebrafish models

Background:

• The enteric nervous system (ENS) is crucial for gut function.
• Glial cells, expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), support neuronal development and function.
• Zebrafish offer advantages for studying early development due to their transparency and external development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spatio-temporal pattern of GFAP expression in the developing zebrafish ENS.
• To utilize a transgenic zebrafish model (Tg(GFAP:GFP)(mi2001)) to visualize GFAP-expressing cells.
• To understand the migratory pathways of ENS precursors.

Main Methods:

• Collected zebrafish embryos from transgenic Tg(GFAP:GFP)(mi2001) adults (24-120 hpf).
• Performed whole mount immunohistochemistry using anti-Phox2b antibodies to identify enteric neurons.
• Utilized fluorescent laser confocal microscopy for imaging.

Main Results:

• GFAP:GFP expression was observed outside the spinal cord starting at 48 hpf, showing migrating profiles.
• GFAP:GFP was present dorsally and ventrally to the intestinal tract by 72-96 hpf.
• By 120 hpf, GFAP:GFP labeled cells throughout the intestinal wall, with enteric neurons (Phox2b+) along GFAP:GFP processes, indicating migratory pathways.

Conclusions:

• GFAP:GFP cell migration patterns suggest an organized, early pathway to the ENS.
• The Tg(GFAP:GFP)(mi2001) zebrafish model is suitable for studying spatio-temporal patterning of early ENS development.