A distinct CD115- erythro-myeloid precursor present at the maternal-embryonic interface and in the bone marrow of adult mice

Abstract

During ontogeny, macrophages develop from CD115+ precursors, including erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMP). EMP arise in the embryonic yolk sac, the primary site of early haematopoiesis. In adults, CD115+ bone marrow-derived monocytes represent essential macrophage precursors. Herein, we identify a CD115- macrophage precursor within the adult bone marrow that is unrelated to the classical monocyte lineage but rather shares transcriptomic and functional characteristics of embryonic EMP. These EMPROR (for Erythro Myeloid Precursor) cells are capable of efficiently generating macrophages in disease settings. During early development, EMPROR cells were largely absent from the yolk sac but were instead found at the embryonic-maternal interface in the uterine wall. Unexpectedly, the latter site contains robust haematopoietic activity and harbours defined embryonic haematopoietic progenitor cells, including classical CD115+ EMP. Our data suggest the existence of an alternative pathway of macrophage generation in the adult. Further, we uncover a hitherto unknown site of earliest blood cell development.