Hematopoietic stem cell development: using the zebrafish to identify extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms regulating hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside at the apex of the hematopoietic hierarchy, giving rise to each of the blood lineages found throughout the lifetime of the organism. Since the genetic programs regulating HSC development are highly conserved between vertebrate species, experimental studies in zebrafish have not only complemented observations reported in mammals but have also yielded important discoveries that continue to influence our understanding of HSC biology and homeostasis. Here, we summarize findings that have established zebrafish as an important conserved model for the study of hematopoiesis, and describe methods that can be utilized for future investigations of zebrafish HSC biology.