Developmental and comparative study of hematopoiesis in the lamprey: insights into the evolutionary origin of hematopoiesis in vertebrates

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Hematopoiesis is the process by which the blood cells of an individual, from the embryo to adulthood, are formed. However, despite being a crucial physiological phenomenon ofanimals, most of our knowledge derives from studies using a handful of classic animal models, mostly representatives of jawed vertebrates. Withthis in mind, I set to study the lamprey, long-distant relative of jawed vertebrates that is understudied in terms of the blood system. In FY2020 I completed the analysis of RNA-seq data from lamprey embryos and identified all candidate hematopoietic markers in the lamprey. I generated a complete panel of expression patterns for all putative hematopoietic markers during lamprey embryogenesis. I was then able to perform CRISPR knock-outs of lamprey Scl gene, an important hematopoietic factor in other vertebrates, and obtained enough samples to carry out RNA-seq analysis as well as in situ hybridization experiments. Although there was no apparent mutant phenotype, blood alterations are expected. These samples will be used in the near future to assess the function of Scl in blood development in cyclostomes, what will enable comnparative analysis with gnathostome hematopoiesis.