Hematopoietic and stromal DMP1-Cre labeled cells form a unique niche in the bone marrow

Skeletogenesis and hematopoiesis are interdependent. Niches form between cells of both lineages where microenvironmental cues support specific lineage commitment. Because of the complex topography of bone marrow (BM), the identity and function of cells within specialized niches has not been fully elucidated. Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (DMP1)-Cre mice have been utilized in bone studies as mature osteoblasts and osteocytes express DMP1. DMP1 has been identified in CXCL12⁺ cells and an undefined CD45⁺ population. We crossed DMP1-Cre with Ai9 reporter mice and analyzed the tdTomato⁺ (tdT⁺) population in BM and secondary hematopoietic organs. CD45⁺tdT⁺ express myeloid markers including CD11b and are established early in ontogeny. CD45⁺tdT⁺ cells phagocytose, respond to LPS and are radioresistant. Depletion of macrophages caused a significant decrease in tdT⁺CD11b⁺ myeloid populations. A subset of CD45⁺tdT⁺ cells may be erythroid island macrophages (EIM) which are depleted after G-CSF treatment. tdT⁺CXCL12⁺ cells are in direct contact with F4/80 macrophages, express RANKL and form a niche with B220⁺ B cells. A population of resident cells within the thymus are tdT⁺ and express myeloid markers and RANKL. In conclusion, in addition to targeting osteoblast/osteocytes, DMP1-Cre labels unique cell populations of macrophage and stromal cells within BM and thymus niches and expresses key microenvironmental factors.