PUBLICATION

Elf1 Deficiency Impairs Macrophage Development in Zebrafish Model Organism

Authors
Tan, Q., Wang, J., Hao, Y., Yang, S., Cao, B., Pan, W., Cao, M.
ID
ZDB-PUB-250327-20
Date
2025
Source
International Journal of Molecular Sciences   26: (Journal)
Registered Authors
Pan, Weijun
Keywords
ELF1, ETS, macrophage, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Receptors, CXCR4/genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation/genetics
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Animals
  • Macrophages*/metabolism
  • Zebrafish*/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/deficiency
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/metabolism
  • Gene Editing
  • Transcription Factors/deficiency
  • Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Transcription Factors/metabolism
  • Cell Movement/genetics
PubMed
40141178 Full text @ Int. J. Mol. Sci.
Abstract
The Ets (E-twenty-six) family of transcription factors plays a critical role in hematopoiesis and myeloid differentiation. However, the specific functions of many family members in these processes remain largely underexplored and poorly understood. Here, we identify Elf1 (E74-like factor 1), an Ets family member, as a critical regulator of macrophage development in the zebrafish model organism, with minimal impact on neutrophil differentiation. Through morpholino knockdown screening and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, we demonstrate that Elf1 is critical for macrophage development and tissue injury responses. Specific overexpression of dominant-negative Elf1 (DN-Elf1) in macrophages demonstrated a cell-autonomous effect on macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, the overexpression of cxcr4b, a gene downstream of Elf1 regulation and essential for cell migration and injury response, significantly rescued this defect, indicating Elf1 as a key regulator of macrophage function. Our findings shed light on the roles of Elf1 in macrophage development and injury response and also highlight zebrafish as a powerful model for immunity research.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping