Expression data from different types of human alveolar macrophage (AM) precursors

Despite their importance in lung health and disease, it remains unknown how human alveolar macrophages develop early in life. In this study we identified the fetal progenitor of human alveolar macrophages. We used microarray to define the gene signatures of human CD14+ blood monocytes (adult AM precursors), CD116+CD64+ fetal liver monocytes, and CD116+CD64- fetal AM precursors. Cells were purified by immunomagnetic separation followed by cell sorting. We used buffy coat from healhty donors as a source of CD14+CD16- blood monocytes and fetal liver from second trimester as a source of fetal monocytes and fetal AM precursors.