Abstract
The role of the fetal spleen in hematopoeisis remains largely unknown. In this particular environment, we show that hematopoietic stem cells do not proliferate, but that they lose multipotency and differentiate exclusively into mature macrophages. B lymphocytes in the spleen derive from committed B cell precursors that are likely to have immigrated from the fetal liver. We developed fetal spleen stromal cell lines that are unique in their capacity to expand myeloid precursors, resulting in large numbers of mature macrophages. These lines secrete high levels of anti-inflammatory molecules. By phenotype, fetal splenic macrophages are reminiscent of their adult counterparts found in the red pulp. We postulate that F4/80(+) splenic macrophages participate in fetal erythropoiesis, as well as in the formation of the splenic architecture.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology
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B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
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Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
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Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
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Cell Differentiation / drug effects
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / physiology
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Cell Lineage / genetics
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Cell Lineage / physiology
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Cells, Cultured
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Fetus
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Flow Cytometry / methods
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology
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Immunohistochemistry
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / genetics
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
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Liver / cytology
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Liver / metabolism
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Macrophages / cytology*
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Macrophages / metabolism
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Spleen / cytology*
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Spleen / embryology
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Spleen / metabolism
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Stromal Cells / cytology*
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Stromal Cells / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Leukocyte Common Antigens