Zebrafish models for studying cell-autonomous functions of neutrophils and macrophages

Timely arrival and departure of white blood cells are required for proper tissue repair after injury. The migratory white blood cells, specifically neutrophils and macrophages, are the earliest to arrive the sites of tissue injury. To arrive or leave these sites, neutrophils and macrophages employ several cell-specific (intrinsic) mechanisms. They are equally influenced by the ever-changing external environment (extrinsic) through which they move. Distinguishing between these cell-intrinsic and extrinsic influences on white blood cell migration requires definitive in vivo models. This thesis describes new zebrafish models for evaluating cell-intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of white blood cell migration and function.