cMaf supports Zeb2 expression for primitive hematopoiesis (TRM RNA-seq)

Tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) are essential for tissue homeostasis and play a key role in disease and pathology. They originate from distinct waves of hematopoietic progenitors, including primitive, transient-definitive, and definitive hematopoiesis. We found that loss of the Zeb2 165kb enhancer impairs monocyte development and alters TRM transcriptional landscapes, with only HSC-derived monocytes requiring Zeb2 for their development. In Zeb2165kb mice, primitive TRMs persist in tissues due to the lack of replacement by later hematopoietic waves, and Maf is required for maintaining Zeb2 expression in primitive macrophages.