Monocytic cells perform crucial homeostatic and defensive functions. However, their fate and characterization at the transcriptomic level in human tissues are partially understood, often as a consequence of the lack of specific markers allowing their unequivocal identification. The 6-sulfo LacNAc (slan) antigen identifies a subset of non-classical (NC) monocytes in the bloodstream, namely the slan+-monocytes. In recent studies, we and other groups have reported that, in tonsils, slan marks dendritic cell (DC)-like cells, as defined by morphological, phenotypical, and functional criteria. However, subsequent investigations in lymphomas have uncovered a significant heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating slan+-cells, including a macrophage-like state. Based on their emerging role in tissue inflammation and cancer, herein we investigated slan+-cell fate in tonsils by using a molecular-based approach. Hence, RNA from tonsil slan+-cells, conventional CD1c+DCs (cDC2) and CD11b+CD14+-macrophages was subjected to gene expression analysis. For comparison, transcriptomes were also obtained from blood cDC2, classical (CL), intermediate (INT), NC, and slan+-monocytes. Data demonstrate that the main trajectory of human slan+-monocytes infiltrating the tonsil tissue is toward a macrophage-like population, displaying molecular features distinct from those of tonsil CD11b+CD14+-macrophages and cDC2. These findings provide a novel view on the terminal differentiation path of slan+-monocytes, which is relevant for inflammatory diseases and lymphomas.
Deciphering the fate of slan+-monocytes in human tonsils by gene expression profiling
Gasperini S.;Vermi W.;
2020-01-01
Abstract
Monocytic cells perform crucial homeostatic and defensive functions. However, their fate and characterization at the transcriptomic level in human tissues are partially understood, often as a consequence of the lack of specific markers allowing their unequivocal identification. The 6-sulfo LacNAc (slan) antigen identifies a subset of non-classical (NC) monocytes in the bloodstream, namely the slan+-monocytes. In recent studies, we and other groups have reported that, in tonsils, slan marks dendritic cell (DC)-like cells, as defined by morphological, phenotypical, and functional criteria. However, subsequent investigations in lymphomas have uncovered a significant heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating slan+-cells, including a macrophage-like state. Based on their emerging role in tissue inflammation and cancer, herein we investigated slan+-cell fate in tonsils by using a molecular-based approach. Hence, RNA from tonsil slan+-cells, conventional CD1c+DCs (cDC2) and CD11b+CD14+-macrophages was subjected to gene expression analysis. For comparison, transcriptomes were also obtained from blood cDC2, classical (CL), intermediate (INT), NC, and slan+-monocytes. Data demonstrate that the main trajectory of human slan+-monocytes infiltrating the tonsil tissue is toward a macrophage-like population, displaying molecular features distinct from those of tonsil CD11b+CD14+-macrophages and cDC2. These findings provide a novel view on the terminal differentiation path of slan+-monocytes, which is relevant for inflammatory diseases and lymphomas.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
