Identification of functionally distinct macrophage subpopulations in <i>Drosophila</i>.

ABSTRACT: Vertebrate macrophages are a highly heterogeneous cell population, but while Drosophila blood is dominated by a macrophage-like lineage (plasmatocytes), until very recently these cells were considered to represent a homogeneous population. Here, we present our identification of enhancer elements labelling plasmatocyte subpopulations, which vary in abundance across development. These subpopulations exhibit functional differences compared to the overall population, including more potent injury responses and differential localisation and dynamics in pupae and adults. Our enhancer analysis identified candidate genes regulating plasmatocyte behaviour: pan-plasmatocyte expression of one such gene (Calnexin14D) improves wound responses, causing the overall population to resemble mor

SUBMITTER: Coates JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8062135 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature