Project description:The impact of cell origin on human lung macrophage identity and function remains unknown. In this study we characterized human alveolar macrophages of fetal versus adult origin. We used microarray to define the gene signatures of human alveolar macrophages derived from CD116+CD64+ fetal monocytes, CD116+CD64- fetal precursors, and CD34+ HSPCs in MISTRG humanized mice.
Project description:Respiratory infections, like the current pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus, target the epithelial cells in the respiratory tract. However, alveolar macrophages (AMs) are tissue-resident macrophages located within the alveoli of the lung and they play a key role in the early phases of an immune response to respiratory infections. We expect that AMs are the first immune cells to encounter the SARS-CoV-2 and therefore their reaction to SARS-CoV-2 infection will have a profound impact upon the outcome of the infection. Interferons (IFNs) are antiviral cytokines and the first cytokine produced upon viral infection. Here, we challenge AMs with SARS-CoV-2 and to our surprise find that the AMs are incapable of recognising SARS-CoV-2 and produce IFN. This is in contrast to respiratory pathogens, such as influenza A virus and Sendai virus. Callenge of AMs with those viruses resulted in a robust IFN response. The absence of IFN production by AMs upon challenge could explain the initial asymptotic phase of SARS-CoV-2 infections and argues against the AMs as the source of proinflamatory cytokines later in infection.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of primary human alveolar macrophages (AMs) comparing control untreated AMs with AMs exposed with Serotype 14 Streptococcus pneumoniae (NCTC11902) strain (MOI 10) for 4 hours) Two-condition experiment, control AMs vs. infected AMs. Biological replicates: 3 control replicates, 3 infected replicates MOI 10.
Project description:Human tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were isolated from lung adenocarcinoma tissues and compared with alveolar macrophages (AMs) obtained from adjacent non-tumor tissues. For details, see Hoppstädter et al., 2021 (doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103578).
Project description:Alveolar macrophages are the first line of defense against pathogens in the lungs of all mammalian species and therefore may constitute an appropriate therapeutic target cell in the treatment and prevention of opportunistic airway infections. Analysis of alveolar macrophages from several species has revealed a unique cellular phenotype and transcriptome, presumably linked to their distinct airway environment and function in host defense. The current study extends these findings to the horse. Firstly, the transcriptome of equine alveolar macrophages was compared to that of equine peritoneal macrophages. This comparison revealed the differential basal expression of 451 genes. Gene expression analysis revealed an alternative macrophage polarisation profile in alveolar macrophages and a hybrid macrophage activation profile in peritoneal macrophages, a phenomenon potentially attributable to a degree endotoxin tolerance. Secondly, the change in gene expression profile of equine AMs following lipopolysaccharide stimulation was investigated. This revealed a significant change in the expression of 240 genes, including well known upregulated inflammatory genes.
Project description:Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are lung resident phagocytes. They derive from fetal liver monocytes, which colonize the lung during embryonic development and give rise to fully mature AMs perinatally. We have identified TGF- signaling as an indispensible regulator during this process. To analyze the impact of TGF- on the entire transcriptome of AMs, we performed RNA-seq on AMs deficient of Tgfbr2 in CD11cCre/+ Tgfbr2fl/fl mice at P3 with Tgfbr2fl/fl littermates as a control.
Project description:The aim of this study was to measure the immune response of alveolar macrophages (AMs) to intracellular Mtb infection in vivo. We characterized the transcriptional profile of murine Mtb-infected AMs after aerosol infection by sorting cells from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and performing low-input RNA-sequencing. To determine the effect of the transcription factor Nrf2 on this response we also measured the transcriptional profiles of AMs from mice lacking Nrf2.
Project description:Alveolar macrophages (AMs) and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) mediate early lung immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Using paired human AMs and MDMs from 6 healthy volunteers, we investigated transcriptional profiles in responses to Mtb. We found 681 genes that were Mtb-dependent in AMs compared to MDMs, 107 that were induced in both cell types but in different directions, and 4538 that were Mtb-dependent in MDMs but not AMs (FDR < 0.05). We found that IFNA Response and IFNG Response were the top two gene sets selectively induced in Mtb-infected AM. Thus, a second experiment utilized MDMs treated with IFNA1, IFNA8, IFNE, or IFNL1 found that IFNA8 modulated Mtb-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and, compared to other interferons,stimulated unique transcriptional profiles.