Prdx6 regulates myeloid cell development via redox control during embryogenesis.

Peroxiredoxin6 (Prdx6) is a bifunctional antioxidant enzyme with both peroxidase and phospholipase A₂ activities. Although its molecular roles are well established, the developmental role of Prdx6 remains poorly understood. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to examine the function of Prdx6 in primitive myelopoiesis using embryos. We found that is specifically expressed in myeloid progenitors originating from the anterior ventral blood island during early embryogenesis. Knockdown of significantly reduced the number of myeloid cells, without affecting their migration ability. Embryos depleted of exhibited elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased cellular proliferation. Co-injection of morpholino (MO)-resistant mRNA or treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) successfully restored both ROS levels and myeloid cell numbers, suggesting that Prdx6 supports primitive myeloid cell development by maintaining redox homeostasis. These findings reveal a novel role of Prdx6 in ROS-dependent proliferation of myeloid progenitors during early vertebrate development.