Frontiers in Immunology (Dec 2022)

Two distinct resident macrophage populations coexist in the ovary

  • Nianyu Li,
  • Nianyu Li,
  • Nianyu Li,
  • Nianyu Li,
  • Nianyu Li,
  • Nianyu Li,
  • Zhuqing Li,
  • Zhuqing Li,
  • Zhuqing Li,
  • Zhuqing Li,
  • Zhuqing Li,
  • Zhuqing Li,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Chendi Zhu,
  • Chendi Zhu,
  • Chendi Zhu,
  • Chendi Zhu,
  • Chendi Zhu,
  • Chendi Zhu,
  • Wenzhe Zhang,
  • Wenzhe Zhang,
  • Wenzhe Zhang,
  • Wenzhe Zhang,
  • Wenzhe Zhang,
  • Wenzhe Zhang,
  • Yueshuang Lu,
  • Yueshuang Lu,
  • Yueshuang Lu,
  • Yueshuang Lu,
  • Yueshuang Lu,
  • Yueshuang Lu,
  • Rongrong Zhang,
  • Rongrong Zhang,
  • Rongrong Zhang,
  • Rongrong Zhang,
  • Rongrong Zhang,
  • Rongrong Zhang,
  • Pinxin Si,
  • Pinxin Si,
  • Pinxin Si,
  • Pinxin Si,
  • Pinxin Si,
  • Pinxin Si,
  • Yuehong Bian,
  • Yuehong Bian,
  • Yuehong Bian,
  • Yuehong Bian,
  • Yuehong Bian,
  • Yuehong Bian,
  • Yingying Qin,
  • Yingying Qin,
  • Yingying Qin,
  • Yingying Qin,
  • Yingying Qin,
  • Yingying Qin,
  • Xue Jiao,
  • Xue Jiao,
  • Xue Jiao,
  • Xue Jiao,
  • Xue Jiao,
  • Xue Jiao,
  • Xue Jiao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007711
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

Read online

IntroductionTissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) are highly heterogeneous and have a complex and important role in tissue support, homeostasis, and function. The heterogeneity, maintenance, and function of TRMs, as one of the major immune cells in the ovary, are not well understood.MethodsApplication of flow cytometry, Parabiosis, Fate mapping, Macrophage depletion, etc.ResultsHere, we described two distinct macrophage subsets, F4/80hiCD11bint and F4/80intCD11bhi, with different phenotypic characteristics in the ovary of mice. The F4/80hiCD11bint population contained a distinct CD206+ subgroup and highly expressed CD81, while the F4/80intCD11bhi subset showed higher expression of CCR2 and TLR2. Notably, Ly6c+ macrophages were present almost exclusively in the F4/80intCD11bhi subpopulation. Combining in vivo fate mapping and parabiotic mouse models, we characterized the longevity and replenishment of the two macrophage populations. We found that both the F4/80hiCD11bint and F4/80intCD11bhi subsets were ovary-resident. Importantly, the F4/80hiCD11bint macrophages acted as a self-maintaining and long-lived population with a modest monocyte contribution at a steady state, and the F4/80intCD11bhi subpopulation had a relatively short lifespan with a greater contribution from monocytes. After macrophage ablation, disturbance of estradiol secretion and ovarian hemorrhage due to damaged vascular integrity was observed in mice.DiscussionOur data provide critical insights into ovarian macrophage heterogeneity and highlight the strategic role of TRMs in ovarian homeostasis and physiology.

Keywords