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Phenotypic Switch of Human Peritoneal Macrophages during Childhood
Nagoud Schukfeh1, Amr Elyas1, Dorothee Viemann2
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Insights
Human peritoneal macrophages show distinct CD14/CD16 expression patterns in neonates compared to adolescents. This age-related difference in macrophage subsets highlights developmental changes in immune cell populations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human peritoneal macrophages reside in the abdominal cavity, regulating the local microenvironment.
- Previous studies indicated murine macrophage phenotypic shifts during infancy, linked to functional development.
- Investigating age-related changes in human peritoneal macrophages is crucial for understanding immune development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze age-related changes in human peritoneal macrophage lineage marker expression.
- To compare macrophage subsets in neonates versus older children and adolescents.
- To identify potential developmental differences in immune cell populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peritoneal macrophages from immunologically healthy children (7 days-18 years) undergoing laparoscopy.
- Lavage cells were processed for flow cytometry.
- Monitoring of CD14+ myeloid cells for specific lineage marker expression, including CD14 and CD16.
Main Results:
- A total of 21 donors were analyzed, with 97% of myeloid cells expressing CD11b and 70% expressing CD14.
- Three subsets of CD14+ cells were identified based on CD14/CD16 expression: CD14+CD16dim, CD14+CD16inter, and CD14+CD16high.
- Neonates predominantly (>80%) had the CD14+CD16high subset, decreasing to 30% in adolescents. M2 markers CD23 and CD25 were not expressed.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to demonstrate distinct lineage marker expression in neonatal versus adult peritoneal macrophages.
- Understanding neonatal tissue-resident macrophage characteristics is key to deciphering their interactions.
- This knowledge may facilitate the therapeutic application of specific macrophage properties.
Introduction:
Human peritoneal macrophages are resident in the abdominal cavity where they support the specific microenvironmental regulation. We have previously observed a phenotypic switch of murine macrophages during infancy that was associated with a functional development. To investigate the age related changes in human peritoneal macrophages, we analyzed peritoneal macrophages of children undergoing laparoscopic procedures.
Materials And Methods:
Immunologically healthy children who received minimally invasive surgery in our department were included in this study. In all cases, the written consent was obtained. At the beginning of laparoscopy, physiologic NaCl-solution was instilled and manually removed through the umbilical trocar to gain macrophages. Lavage cells were processed for flow cytometry analysis. CD14+ myeloid cells were monitored for specific lineage marker expression.
Results:
A total of 21 donors (age: 7 days-18 years) were included and divided into three groups. In all age groups, 97% of myeloid cells expressed CD11b. 70% of these expressed CD14. Three subsets of CD14 cells were detected on the basis of CD14/CD16 expression (CD14 + CD16dim, CD14 + CD16inter, and CD14 + CD16high). In neonates, >80% belonged to the CD14 + CD16high subset, reducing to 30% in adolescents. In none of the cases, the M2 markers CD23 and CD25 were expressed.
Conclusion:
This is the first study showing that lineage marker expression of peritoneal macrophages in neonates differs from that in adults. The knowledge about neonatal tissue resident macrophages might help to understand their complex interaction and to use specific macrophage properties for therapeutic approaches.
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