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Measuring Inflammatory Cell Migration in the Zebrafish

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Cell Migration

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 769))

Abstract

A key feature of inflammatory cells is the ability to migrate to a site of injury or infection quickly and efficiently. Infectious agents can then be taken up by these inflammatory cells, preventing established infection. Inflammatory cell migration is driven by a complex interaction between inflammatory cells and their environment. In order to maintain health, inflammation needs to resolve, allowing the surrounding tissues to recover and heal. These processes are not fully understood and have been difficult to study in cell culture due to the complex interactions between cell types. We therefore use a range of techniques in near-transparent zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae to study these migration events in a whole-organism, in vivo model. Using a transgenic zebrafish line that specifically marks neutrophils with green fluorescent protein, Tg(mpx:GFP)i114, we are able to follow neutrophil behaviour at a single cell level. Using these methods, the cellular processes involved in all phases of inflammation can be studied and better understood.

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Acknowledgements

SAR and CAL are funded by an MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship to SAR (reference number: G0701932). PME is funded by a project grant from the Wellcome Trust (reference number: WT082909MA). Microscopy studies in our laboratory are supported by a Wellcome Trust grant to the MBB/BMS Light microscopy facility (GR077544AIA), and the laboratory is supported by an MRC Centre grant (G0700091).

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Correspondence to Stephen A. Renshaw .

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Elks, P.M., Loynes, C.A., Renshaw, S.A. (2011). Measuring Inflammatory Cell Migration in the Zebrafish. In: Wells, C., Parsons, M. (eds) Cell Migration. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 769. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-207-6_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-207-6_18

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-206-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-207-6

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