Inflammation in Development and Aging: Insights from the Zebrafish Model

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Feb 10;25(4):2145. doi: 10.3390/ijms25042145.

Abstract

Zebrafish are an emergent animal model to study human diseases due to their significant genetic similarity to humans, swift development, and genetic manipulability. Their utility extends to the exploration of the involvement of inflammation in host defense, immune responses, and tissue regeneration. Additionally, the zebrafish model system facilitates prompt screening of chemical compounds that affect inflammation. This study explored the diverse roles of inflammatory pathways in zebrafish development and aging. Serving as a crucial model, zebrafish provides insights into the intricate interplay of inflammation in both developmental and aging contexts. The evidence presented suggests that the same inflammatory signaling pathways often play instructive or beneficial roles during embryogenesis and are associated with malignancies in adults.

Keywords: Danio rerio; aging; development; hematopoiesis; immune signaling; immunity; inflammaging; inflammation; zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Inflammation*
  • Models, Animal
  • Signal Transduction
  • Zebrafish* / genetics

Grants and funding

This study has been funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the projects PI19/00188 and PI22/00861 and co-funded by the European Union (grant to MLC). F.J.M.N. was supported by the ISCIII through a Sara Borrell Fellowship. M.M. was supported by an American-Italian Cancer Foundation Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, the Ceriale Post Doc Fellowship Award, and the Paul S. Frenette Scholar Awards Program of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. T.V.B. was supported by funds from NIH R01DK121738, NIH R01DK131445, and the Edward P. Evans Foundation.