Zebrafish models can help us understand the natural mechanisms of efficient organ regeneration. Our laboratory has previously established a cryo injury method for studying how zebrafish restore their heart and fitness. With this new protocol, we aim to expand our research into another organ, namely the musculature.
We have yet to understand why organ regeneration is more efficient in zebrafish than in humans. This protocol provides a promising approach to studying the successful restoration of musculature despite a relatively large wound size in the fish body. This cryo injury model has at least three advantages.
Firstly, the musculature is damaged rapidly and without disrupting the body's integrity. Secondly, the wound is reproducible and cleared by natural healing. And finally, fish can swim normally after cryo injury, suggesting a mild impact of this procedure on the animals.
Our findings introduced the zebrafish caudal peduncle into the field of regenerative biology. This research path will contribute to deciphering the molecular mechanisms that guide the myogenesis program to reconstruct complex musculature in adult zebrafish.
