Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF-2) is a dominantly inherited genetic disorder that results from variants in the tumor suppressor gene, neurofibromin 2 (NF2). Here, we report the generation of a conditional zebrafish model of neurofibromatosis established by inducible genetic knockout of nf2a/b, the zebrafish homologs of human NF2. Analysis of nf2a and nf2b expression revealed ubiquitous expression of nf2b in the early embryo, with overlapping expression in the neural crest and its derivatives and in the cranial mesenchyme. In contrast, nf2a displayed lower expression levels. Induction of nf2a/b knockout at early stages increased the proliferation of larval Schwann cells and meningeal fibroblasts. Subsequently, in adult zebrafish, nf2a/b knockout triggered the development of a spectrum of tumors, including vestibular Schwannomas, spinal Schwannomas, meningiomas and retinal hamartomas, mirroring the tumor manifestations observed in patients with NF-2. Collectively, these findings highlight the generation of a novel zebrafish model that mimics the complexities of the human NF-2 disorder. Consequently, this model holds significant potential for facilitating therapeutic screening and elucidating key driver genes implicated in NF-2 onset.

Division of Biology and Biological Engineering California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA 91125 USA

Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice 38925 Vodnany Czech Republic

University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine Addenbrooke's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge CB2 0QQ UK

University of Southern California Alfred Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering Los Angeles CA 90089 USA

University of Southern California Caruso Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Los Angeles CA 90033 USA

bioRxiv. 2024 Apr 27:2024.04.23.590787. doi: 10.1101/2024.04.23.590787. PubMed

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