Our lab has identified a novel group of ectoderm derived myeloid-like cell type in zebrafish epidermis. We named them as metaphocytes based on their function to sample antigen from external environment and then transport the antigen to epidermis-resident macrophage Langerhans cells[1]. Expect for the antigen transportation function, we are eager to explore more function of metaphocytes. From our RNA-sequencing data and further characterization, we identified a metaphocytes specific marker. I therefore generated two transgenic lines, in which the promoter of the metaphocyte marker gene drives the expression of diphtheria toxin A (DTA) and nitroreductase (NTR) respectively. The expression of DTA allows us to permanently deplete metaphocytes, whereas NTR enables us to deplete metap...[ Read more ]

Our lab has identified a novel group of ectoderm derived myeloid-like cell type in zebrafish epidermis. We named them as metaphocytes based on their function to sample antigen from external environment and then transport the antigen to epidermis-resident macrophage Langerhans cells[1]. Expect for the antigen transportation function, we are eager to explore more function of metaphocytes. From our RNA-sequencing data and further characterization, we identified a metaphocytes specific marker. I therefore generated two transgenic lines, in which the promoter of the metaphocyte marker gene drives the expression of diphtheria toxin A (DTA) and nitroreductase (NTR) respectively. The expression of DTA allows us to permanently deplete metaphocytes, whereas NTR enables us to deplete metaphocytes upon MTZ administration. With the help of these two depletion lines, we can characterize the functional diversities of metaphocytes.