In this thesis the zebrafish tail fin infection model is presented, which enables the study of a complex immune response towards (myco)bacterial infection using a combination of light and electron... Show moreIn this thesis the zebrafish tail fin infection model is presented, which enables the study of a complex immune response towards (myco)bacterial infection using a combination of light and electron microscopy. The induction of autophagy upon a mycobacterial infection as an important innate immune response was visualized using correlative light and electron microscopy. Studying the role of leukocyte dynamics and function during the course of infection provided new insights into the complex host-pathogen interactions. Using a myd88 mutant zebrafish line it was shown that the recruitment of leukocytes towards the site of infection and subsequent phagocytosis of bacteria is dependent on MyD88-mediated signaling. With the advancement of medical translational studies using zebrafish disease models, the tail fin infection model may 104 5 provide new opportunities to develop novel therapies against pathogenic infections like tuberculosis. Show less
