A protocol to evaluate epithelial regeneration after inducing cell loss in zebrafish larvae

Epithelial tissues sustain barrier function by removing and replacing aberrant or unfit cells. Here, we describe approaches to evaluate epithelial restorative capacity after inducing cell loss in zebrafish larvae. We provide details to quantify morphological changes to the tail fin epithelium after cell loss, and instructions to interrogate changes in gene expression and proliferation associated with replacement of the lost cells. Together, this approach establishes an in vivo vertebrate model for the rapid assessment of molecular pathways controlling epithelial regeneration.