The role of Nfil3 in zebrafish hematopoiesis

Nfil3, a transcription factor that has an array of functions in immune cells, has been described as key regulator of CD8α+ dendritic cell and natural killer cell development in mice. In this report we show that Nfil3 is enriched in the myeloid compartment of adult zebrafish including eosinophils. Knockdown of Nfil3 in pu.1:GFP embryos resulted in a reduced number of myeloid cells as early as 24 h post-fertilization, while erythropoiesis was unaffected. Using mpx and fms-fluorescent transgenic fish we found that all myeloid cell lineages, and in particular macrophages, had reduced numbers at 4 days post-fertilization. This was reflected by less myeloid cells accumulating at a wound site. Pu.1, l-plastin, csf1r and mpx had reduced expression in Nfil3 morphants while runx1, gata1 and rag1 were unaffected. Collectively, these results describe a conserved expression pattern of Nfil3 in evolutionarily divergent species and indicate that Nfil3 is central to myeloid lineage commitment.

► Adult zebrafish have enriched Nfil3 mRNA in myeloid cells including eosinophils. ► Nfil3 has conserved expression pattern in myeloid compartment amongst vertebrates. ► Knock-down of Nfil3 results in impaired development of myeloid cells in zebrafish.