Transient expression of Ym1, a heparin-binding lectin, during developmental hematopoiesis and inflammation

Ym1, a secretory protein transiently produced by activated peritoneal macrophages elicited by parasitic infections, has been identified as a novel heparin-binding lectin. X-ray crystallography study revealed that Ym1 has a beta/alpha barrel structure with a carbohydrate-binding cleft similar to that of triose-phosphate isomerases. To further delineate the physiological significance of Ym1, we examined its expression patterns during mouse embryonic development and inflammation states elicited by agents other than parasitic infections in the peritoneal cavity and brain. This is the first report revealing prominent expression of Ym1 in early myeloid precursor cells of hematopoietic tissues-initially in the yolk sac and subsequently in fetal liver, spleen, and bone marrow. In nonhematopoietic systems, Ym1 was not detected in most of the tissues examined, with the exception of lung. Although no expression was detected up to gestation day 16.5 (E16.5), an increasing level of Ym1 expression in lung was detected from E18.5 on and persisted through adulthood. While most resident macrophages in various tissues examined are Ym1-negative, transient expression of Ym1 may be induced in their activated counterparts during inflammation in response to different stimuli in vivo, ranging from various chemical agents to brain injuries. The temporal and spatial expression in myeloid precursors and its transient induction in activated macrophages support the notion that Ym1 may be involved in hematopoiesis and inflammation. In addition, its putative functional association with heparin/heparan sulfate is discussed.