Identification of functionally distinct macrophage subpopulations in Drosophila

Abstract

Vertebrate macrophages are a highly heterogeneous cell population, but whileDrosophilablood 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 more closely the subpopulation marked by theCalnexin14D-associated enhancer. Finally, we show that exposure to increased levels of apoptotic cell death modulates subpopulation cell numbers. Taken together this demonstrates macrophage heterogeneity inDrosophila, identifies mechanisms involved in subpopulation specification and function and facilitates the use ofDrosophilato study macrophage heterogeneity in vivo.