Single-cell RNA sequencing of the cut and uncut caudal fin of zebrafish larvae

Purpose: The goal of this study was to establish the first detailed cell atlas of the regenerating caudal fin of zebrafish larvae. Intact and regenerating caudal fin were used for single-cell RNA-sequencing with the aim to provide the first integrated model of epimorphic regeneration in zebrafish larvae and demonstrate the diversity of the cells required for blastema formation. Methods: 150 of regenerating caudal fin (cut) and intact caudal fine (uncut) samples were dissociated and loaded into the 10x Genomics Chromium Platform, and sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000. Conclusion: Our study constitutes a resource of the gene expression profile in intact and regenerating caudal fin of zebrafish larvae. We report the application of single-molecule-based sequencing technology for high-throughput profiling of both intact (uncut) and regenerating caudal fin samples (cut) at 24hpA. We confirmed the presence of macrophage subsets, previously described by our group to govern zebrafish fin regeneration, and identified a novel blastemal cell population. Overall design: Cells from intact and regenerating caudal fin were used for single-cell RNA-sequencing (10xGenomics Chromium Platform), and sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000. Cell populations were distinguished by Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP).