Fluid dynamics in zebrafish Kupffer's vesicle.

Publication Year
2008

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
Work in mouse has implicated cilia motility and leftward nodal flow as the mechanism for breaking left-right symmetry. In zebrafish, it is assumed that Kupffer's vesicle is analogous to the mouse node. However, its architecture is different and the fluid dynamics inside Kupffer's vesicle is not completely understood. We show that cells lining both the dorsal roof and the ventral floor of Kupffer's vesicle possess posteriorly pointed cilia that rotate clockwise when viewed apically. Analysis of bead movements within Kupffer's vesicle shows a net circular flow but the local flow differs in direction depending on the location within the vesicle. Histological analysis suggests that the orientation of the cells at anterior-dorsal region likely direct net flow in the vesicle. Our data suggest that the plane of the circular net flow is tilted with respect to the D-V axis, which may be converted to a local leftward flow in the anterior-dorsal region of the vesicle.
Journal
Dev Dyn
Volume
237
Issue
12
Pages
3602-12
Date Published
12/2008
ISSN Number
1058-8388
Alternate Journal
Dev. Dyn.
PMID
18924242