Expression of Spi-C in intestinal CX3CR1high macrophages

In murine large intestinal lamina propria, CX3CR1high resident Mfs possess anti-inflammatory properties and thereby support intestinal homeostasis. Unlike other tissue-resident MΦs, transcription factors that regulate differentiation and function of CX3CR1high MΦs in the large intestine are poorly understood. Thus, to identify transcription factors specifically expressed in CX3CR1high MΦs among large intestinal lamina propria innate myeloid cells, we comprehensively analyzed the genes expression profiles in CX3CR1high MΦs, CX3CR1- CD11b+ CD11c+ cells, CD11b- CD11chigh DCs, and CD11b+CD11c- cells. CD11b- CD11chigh DCs, expressing CD103, in the colon highly expressed transcription factors Batf3, Irf8, and Zbtb46, which have been reported to be required for development of CD103+ DCs. Among four subsets, CX3CR1high macrophages showed the highest expression level of Spic. Transcription factor Spi-C has been reported to be crucial for development of splenic RPMΦs and a fraction of BMMΦs, and thereby contributes to iron recycling. CD11chigh CD11b- DCs, CD11c- CD11b+ cells, CD11c+ CD11b+ CX3CR1high Mϕs, and CD11c+ CD11b+ CX3CR1- cells were collected from large intestinal lamina propria, then perfomed microarray experiments.