Gene expression profiling of human MSC-educated macrophages vs. classical macrophages from bone marrow and blood

In comparison to MØs, MEMs have increased expression of the inhibitory molecules PD-L1, PD-L2, in addition to markers of alternatively activated macrophages: CD206 and CD163. RNA-Seq analysis of MEMs, as compared to MØs, show a distinct gene expression profile that positively correlates with multiple pathways important in tissue repair. MEMs also show increased expression of IL-6, TGF-β, Arginase-1, CD73, and decreased expression of IL-12 and TNF-α. We show that IL-6 secretion is controlled in part by the COX-2, arginase and JAK1/STAT1 pathway. When tested in vivo, we show that human MEMs significantly enhance survival from lethal GVHD, and improve survival of mice from radiation injury.