MINI REVIEW article

Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 18 February 2021

Sec. Stem Cell Research

Volume 9 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.631699

Contributions of Embryonic HSC-Independent Hematopoiesis to Organogenesis and the Adult Hematopoietic System

  • Stem Cell Biology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Macclesfield, United Kingdom

Abstract

During ontogeny, the establishment of the hematopoietic system takes place in several phases, separated both in time and location. The process is initiated extra-embryonically in the yolk sac (YS) and concludes in the main arteries of the embryo with the formation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Initially, it was thought that HSC-independent hematopoietic YS cells were transient, and only required to bridge the gap to HSC activity. However, in recent years it has become clear that these cells also contribute to embryonic organogenesis, including the emergence of HSCs. Furthermore, some of these early HSC-independent YS cells persist into adulthood as distinct hematopoietic populations. These previously unrecognized abilities of embryonic HSC-independent hematopoietic cells constitute a new field of interest. Here, we aim to provide a succinct overview of the current knowledge regarding the contribution of YS-derived hematopoietic cells to the development of the embryo and the adult hematopoietic system.

Introduction

In mammals, the hematopoietic system is established during embryogenesis in three consecutive overlapping waves (). In mice, the first wave, also termed primitive hematopoiesis, is initiated around embryonic day (E)7 and produces unipotent precursors that give rise to either primitive-erythrocytes, -megakaryocytes, or -macrophages (; ). The primitive macrophage precursors have also been named primitive myeloid precursors (pMP). Furthermore, it has also been reported that the first wave may give rise to c-Myb independent erythroid–myeloid progenitors (early EMP) (). However, so far, macrophage (microglia) but not erythrocyte potential has been experimental confirmed for these so-called early EMP (). Henceforth, we will refer to wave 1 myeloid cells as pMP/early EMP. The second wave of hematopoiesis marks the onset of definitive (erythroid) hematopoiesis and sees the emergence of both EMPs around E8.25 (late-EMPs) (; ), and lymphoid–myeloid progenitors (LMPs) (; ) around E9.5. Around E10.5 the third wave generates both hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) (Figure 1A). The hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) subsequently play a central role in maintaining the hematopoietic system for the lifetime of the organism (; ). Hematopoietic cells of all waves are generated from the mesoderm, which is known to give rise to both endothelial and hematopoietic lineages (; ). For the definitive hematopoietic waves (waves 2 and 3), it is now well established that hematopoiesis occurs via an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) from a specialized endothelial subpopulation known as hemogenic endothelium (HE) (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ). The cellular origin of the first wave of primitive hematopoiesis is still disputed. It is unclear whether primitive hematopoiesis emerges directly from mesoderm, a hemangioblast, a HE, or another type of precursor (; ). However, several recent studies suggest that primitive hematopoiesis (wave 1) is generated through a HE(-like) intermediate that has been termed hemogenic angioblast (; ; ). Despite this potential common cellular origin, not all waves originate from the same anatomical site. The first two waves arise extra embryonically in the yolk sac (YS). In contrast, the third wave mainly takes place in the dorsal aorta within the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region of the embryo, where HSC arise within so-called intra-aortic hematopoietic clusters (IAHC) (; ; ). The HSC mature and amplify in the fetal liver (FL) before taking up residence in the bone marrow (BM).

FIGURE 1

Initially, the YS waves of hematopoiesis were thought to provide an essential but transient blood supply for the embryo destined to be replaced by HSC-derived cells. However, there is accumulating evidence that HSC-independent blood cells can make significant contributions to the adult hematopoietic system. Furthermore, it is also becoming evident that in the embryo, the HSC-independent hematopoietic waves can play essential roles beyond erythrocyte-mediated oxygen exchange and early immune surveillance. These roles have been mainly assigned to myeloid-derived populations that have been shown to play crucial roles in embryonic organogenesis.

Here we provide a concise overview of the recent findings obtained in mouse models regarding the contribution of HSC-independent hematopoiesis to embryonic organogenesis and the adult hematopoietic system.

Resolving the Role and Origin of Hematopoietic Populations

The overlapping and transient nature of the different hematopoietic waves makes it challenging to determine their individual contributions towards organogenesis and the adult hematopoietic system. Transgenic mouse knockout (KO) and fate mapping models have been instrumental in shaping our current understanding of the contribution of the different hematopoietic waves towards the hematopoietic system (Table 1). KO models (via gene deletion/mutation or lineage-specific activation of diphtheria toxin) provide functional information for specific populations, while lineage tracing models (typically using fluorescent proteins) highlight the contribution of specific populations. However, the perfect model to delineate the hematopoietic waves does not exist, and it is important to consider the target cell type, wave specificity and labeling efficiency of the models used when interpreting results.

TABLE 1

Knockout modelsFunctionAffected waveMajor impact on hematopoietic wavesReferences
Csf1r ()Early/Late-EMP differentiation1, 2Lack of early EMP and reduced late-EMP contribution to TRM;
Csf1 (null mutation) ()Early EMP differentiation1Reduced early EMP contribution to TRM; ;
Myb ()Late-EMP and HSC differentiation2, 3Lack of late-EMP and HSC contribution to TRM;
Nur77 ()BM monocytes differentiationReduced BM monocytes/macrophages contribution to TRM
Plvap ()FL macrophage migrationReduced FL monocytes/macrophages contribution to TRM
Ccr2 ()BM monocytes/macrophages migrationReduced BM monocytes/macrophages contribution to TRM
KitL ()Late-EMP and HSC maintenance2, 3Reduced late-EMP and HSC contribution to TRM;
Cx3cr1 ()Mediates monocyte retention in the BMNone;
Pu.1 (; )YS myeloid differentiation and HSC maintenance1, 2, 3Lack of EMP and HSC contribution to TRM; ; ; ; ;
Runx1 (; ; )Master regulator of hematopoiesis, expressed from HE onwards1, 2, 3Lack of EMP and HSC; ;
Cbfβ (; ; )Essential RUNX1 co-factor1, 2, 3Lack of EMP and HSC; ;
Cbfβ (Tie2-Cbfβ) ()Essential RUNX1 co-factor1, 2, 3Lack of HSC
Cbfβ (Ly6a-Cbfβ) ()Lack of EMP

Constitutive fate mapping modelsRelevanceLabeling efficiency (assay time point)
References
LMP (Wave 2)pMP/Early EMP (Wave 1)Late-EMP (Wave 2)HSC (Wave 3)

S100a4 () (Transgene)Active in FL monocytes and not in FL macrophagesNot done∼20% (5wo)64.5 ± 6.7% (5wo)Not done
Not done∼20% (Adult)∼60% (Adult)∼100% (Adult)
Flt3 () (KI)Active in HSC progenyNot doneNot doneNot done∼80% (NB)
Not doneNot done∼20% (Adult)∼80% (Adult)
Not done<2% (P8 onwards)10–30% (P8 onwards)∼80% (P8 onwards)
Not doneNot done10–20% (4wo)∼80% (4wo)
Ms4a3 () (KI)Active in GMPNot doneNone (NB onwards)Trace (NB onwards)BM GMP: 68.7 ± 1.58% (Adult)
Tnfrs11a () (KI)Essential for osteoclast development. Tracks YS progenitors.Not done∼80% (E14.5)∼90% (6wo)∼10% (E14.5 onwards)
Tnfrs11a () (KI)Not doneNot done∼90% (Adult)None (Adult)
Rag1 () (KI)Lymphoid-specific activity∼100% (E14.5)Trace (E14.5)<5% (E14.5)Not done

Inducible fate mapping modelsRelevancePulse timepointLabeling efficiency (assay time point)
References
pMP/Early EMP (Wave 1)Late-EMP (Wave 2)HSC (Wave 3)

Csf1r () (Transgene)Mainly a myeloid markerE8.563.2 ± 5.6% (E13.5)Trace (E13.5)Not done
∼60% (E11.5)Marked (E12.5)Not done
Cx3cr1 () (KI)Mainly a myeloid markerE9.0∼40% (E16.0); ∼30% (NB onwards)Trace (6wo onwards)Trace (6wo)
Runx1 () (KI; driven by P2/Runx1b promoter)Master regulator of hematopoiesis, expressed from HE onwardsE7.25-E7.5∼30% (E10.5)<5% (8wo)<3% (8wo)
Not doneNot donenone (9–12mo)
∼30% (E10.5); ∼20% (E13.5)Not doneNot done
E7.522.2 ± 0.9% (E13.5)< 5% (E13.5); <10% (E16.5)Trace (E13.5)
Not done∼10% (8wo)∼10% (8wo)
Not doneNot done1–10% (9–12mo)
Not done∼12.5% (8wo)∼7.5% (8wo)
E8.5∼15% (E13.5); <5% (E16.5)∼25% (E13.5); ∼30% (E16.5)1–3% (E11.5); <5% (E13.5)
Not done∼30% (8wo)∼30% (8wo)
Not doneNot done1–50% (9–12mo)
Not done∼30% (8wo)∼30% (8wo)
E9.5<5% (E13.5)∼15% (E13.5)∼30% (E13.5)
Not done∼20% (8wo)∼30% (8wo)
Not doneNot done50–100% (9–12mo)
Not done∼25% (8wo)∼30% (8wo)
Tie2 () (KI)Endothelial marker (including HE) also expressed in subset of HSC and myeloid cellsE7.5∼60% (E12.5)∼40% (6–8wo)∼40% (E12.5)
E8.5∼30% (E12.5)∼20% (6–8wo)∼75% (E12.5)
E9.5trace (E12.5)∼10% (6–8wo)∼80% (E12.5)
E10.5none (E12.5)∼5% (6–8wo)∼40% (E12.5)
Kit () (KI)Express in early HSPC and YS HE cellsE7.5∼70% (E13.5)Trace (E13.5)Trace (6wo)
E8.5∼70% (E13.5)∼40% (E13.5)∼60% (6wo)
E9.5∼50% (6wo)∼50% (6wo)∼40% (6wo)
Cdh5 () (Transgene)Endothelial marker (including HE)E7.5∼80% (E10.5); ∼90% (E14.5)∼80% (E10.5)<10% (E14.5)
E10.5Trace (E14.5)Not done∼80% (E14.5)

Mouse model for studying the contribution of different hematopoietic waves to hematopoietic system.

EMP, erythroid–myeloid progenitors; HSC, hematopoietic stem cells; TRM, tissue-resident macrophages; FL, fetal liver; BM, bone marrow; pMP, primitive myeloid precursors; HSPC, hematopoietic stem and progenitors; YS, yolk sac; LMP, lymphomyeloid progenitors; GMP, granulocyte-macrophage progenitors; HE, hemogenic endothelium; KI, knock-in; NB, new born; wo, week old; mo, month old.

Knockout mouse models have demonstrated specific dependencies of (wave-specific) hematopoietic populations on distinct transcription factors and signaling pathways. Csf1r (Colony Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor, cytokine receptor) KO mainly disrupts the early EMP differentiation (wave 1) and to a lesser extent the late-EMP differentiation (wave 2) (). Although these mice are viable, they display drastically reduced levels of microglia and YS macrophages (; ). Csf1 () (Colony Stimulating Factor 1, cytokine) null mice display a similar but milder phenotype, with varying degrees of microglia and YS macrophages depletion, due to partial compensatory effects of the alternative CSF1R ligand IL-34 (; ; ; ; ; ). Myb () (MYB Proto-Oncogene, transcription factor) KO disrupts late-EMP and HSC differentiation (wave 2 and wave 3) and results in anemia and embryonic lethality around E15.5 (; ). A similar phenotype is observed in KitL (KIT Ligand, cytokine) KO mice which die perinatally (). Nur77 () (Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4 Group A Member 1, nuclear receptor) KO is viable but lacks circulating monocytes due to disrupted BM HSC differentiation (). Disrupting cell migration has also emerged as a useful strategy. Plvap () (Plasmalemma Vesicle Associated Protein, membrane protein) and CCR2 () (C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2, chemokine receptor) KOs are viable but respectively show impaired FL and BM monocyte migration (). Cx3cr1 () (C-X3-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1, chemokine receptor) KO is viable but shows impairment of leukocyte migration (; ) regardless of their wave of origin. There are several other models which disrupt all waves of hematopoietic development. Pu.1 (; ) (Spi-1 Proto-Oncogene, transcription factor) KO mice have defective YS myelopoiesis and HSC maintenance and die shortly after birth (; ; ). Deletion of Runx1 (; ; ) (RUNX Family Transcription Factor 1, transcription factor) or its essential co-factor Cbfβ (; ; ) (Core-Binding Factor Subunit Beta, transcription factor) is embryonically lethal and results in the complete absence of hematopoiesis apart from primitive erythroid cells. These KOs are useful when coupled with targeted approaches. For example, the Cbfβ KO model can be used to deplete EMP or HSC by combination with respectively Ly6a-Cbfβ or Tie2-Cbfβ rescue alleles ().

Constitutive lineage tracing models rely on lineage-specific promoter activity to drive Cre recombinase expression, which in turn irreversibly activates or deletes a target gene (; ). Such models have been established to trace long term lineage contribution of HSC- and YS-derived hematopoietic cells. Flt3-Cre, Ms4a3-Cre, S100a4-Cre predominantly track HSC progeny, albeit with several restrictions. Flt3-Cre (; ; ; ) and S100a4-Cre (; ) mark the majority of HSC-derived cells (>80%). However, both also mark some YS-derived hematopoietic cells (Table 1). In contrast, Ms4a3-Cre does not mark any YS cells from the first or second wave and only marks HSC-derived GMPs (∼70%) (). The Tnfrs11a-Cre model is currently best suited to track YS hematopoiesis with little (; ) or no () HSC labeling. However, this model cannot distinguish the two YS waves of hematopoiesis. Currently, the only option to track LMP progeny is the Rag1-Cre fate mapping model () which marks all FL B and T cells alongside a small number of myeloid cells.

Inducible tracing models [tamoxifen-inducible Cre-mediated recombination (; )] add an extra layer of specificity that can overcome certain limitations of the constitutive models. This approach allows not only for reporter activation or gene deletion in specific cell types but also during a defined developmental time window. The latter has allowed for the specific marking of the first hematopoietic wave in the YS (pMP/early EMP) using multiple models (Table 1). In this context, a caveat of the Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer and Cx3cr1-CreER based systems is that they only label myeloid progeny (; ; ). In contrast, Tie2-Mer-iCre-Mer, Kit-Mer-Cre-Mer, Runx1-Mer-Cre-Mer, and Cdh5-CreERT2 provide less restricted marking. Distinguishing progeny from late-EMP (wave 2) and HSC (wave 3) is still challenging, as illustrated in Table 1 (; ; , ; ).

HSC-Independent Hematopoietic Cells Contribute to the Adult Hematopoietic System

In the adult hematopoietic system, several hematopoietic populations have been shown to consist of cells with an HSC-independent embryonic origin (Figure 1B). This has been best studied for tissue-resident macrophages (TRM), which were traditionally thought to be continuously replenished by BM HSC-derived monocytes. However, this view was challenged by the discovery of radiation-resistant and self-repopulating Langerhans cells (), microglia (; ), and alveolar macrophages (; ; ) in BM transplantation and parabiosis studies. Subsequent lineage tracing studies have convincingly demonstrated that microglia are the progeny of myeloid cells produced during the first wave of hematopoiesis. Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer, Cx3cr1-CreER, Runx1-Mer-Cre-Mer, and Kit-Mer-Cre-Mer lineage tracing models all support the pMP/early EMP origin of microglia (; ; ; ). This has been further strengthened by the analysis of KitL and c-Myb KO models in which the number of late-EMP and HSC (waves 2 and 3) is drastically decreased, while the microglia population remains unaffected (; ; ).

It is now widely accepted that TRM populations do not have a unified common origin. Some tissues retain and maintain YS-derived cells while in others they are replaced or co-exist with BM-HSC-derived cells (for review ; ; ). Below, we highlight recent findings concerning the persistence of YS-derived embryonic hematopoietic cells in adults.

HSC-Independent Origin of Adult TRM

Alveolar macrophages (AM) and interstitial macrophages (IM) are two major subsets of lung TRM (; ). Around E10.5, YS pMPs/early EMPs () seed in the primordial lung buds. Parabiosis, adoptive transfer, and lineage tracing experiments have shown that a subset of pMP/early EMP-derived IM (, ; ; ; ; ) and AM (; ) persist into adulthood. The functional significance of these sub-populations, if any, is currently unknown. However, it has been shown that FL monocyte-derived TRM possess enhanced mitochondrial respiratory and glycolytic capacity () versus their HSC-independent counterparts.

Adipose tissue macrophages (ATM), are the most abundant immune cells in adipose tissues and play a prominent role in regulating inflammation and insulin sensitivity (). ATM, which can proliferate and self-renew, are partially derived from embryonic HSC-independent cells (E9.0 pulsed Cx3Cr1-CreER) (; ). Further studies using the Ms4a3-Cre fate-mapping model, which traces BM-HSC monocyte-derived cells (; ), demonstrated that half of the white adipose tissue ATM is Ms4a3 positive under normal physiological conditions. Interestingly, a high-fat diet increases the proportion of HSC-derived monocytes within ATM population ().

The Ms4a3-Cre fate-mapping model has also revealed that adult renal macrophages (RM) are of mixed origin (; ; ; ; ; ; ). Furthermore, YS-derived RM (E9.5 pulsed Cx3cr1-CreER) are more proliferative than their HSC-derived counterpart and their contribution to the kidney TRM population expands with age ().

Osteoclasts are multinucleated myeloid cells that resorb bone tissue and are critical for the development, repair, and remodeling of the skeleton (; ). The HSC-independent origin of osteoclast was first suggested by ex vivo co-culture experiments () and has been recently confirmed in vivo using Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer and Cx3cr1-CreER models (; ). Early/late EMP-derived osteoclasts not only persist but also expand in the adult BM (). Furthermore, a subpopulation of early/late EMP-derived osteoclasts was found to reside in the spleen. Interestingly, this spleen population can fuse with BM-derived monocytes creating long-lived osteoclast syncytia with a mixed origin (; ).

Based on CD206 and MHCII expression, three testis subpopulations of TRM can be distinguished. These populations possess different levels of phagocytic capacity (). Tracing (E8.5 pulsed Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer, E13.5 pulsed Cx3cr1-CreER) and KO (Ccr2, Nur77, Plvap) studies have shown that all three waves of hematopoiesis contribute to adult testis TRM. Strikingly, antibody-based macrophage depletion experiments have demonstrated that adult BM-derived cells play no part in testis TRM maintenance ().

Finally characterization of Csf1 KOs, the Csf1r-EGFP constitutive tracing model, and E8.5 pulse-labeled Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer mice point to an HSC-independent origin for part of the TRM in adult cochlea (), ovaries (), and mammary glands (; ; ).

Beyond Tissue Resident-Macrophages: Mast- and Lymphoid-Cells

Mast cells (MC) can be classified into two groups. Connective tissue MC (CTMC) populate the skin, tongue, trachea, esophagus, adipose tissues, and peritoneal- and pleural cavities while mucosal MC (MMC) are found in the gut and respiratory mucosa. The exclusive BM HSC-derived () origin of MC was first challenged by transplantation assays that showed BM only minimally contributes to MC repopulation in MC-depleted hosts (, ). Subsequent fate-mapping studies using Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer and Runx1-Mer-Cre-Mer suggested that the majority of MMC are derived from HSC, whereas CTMC are largely derived from the HSC-independent EMP (). Interestingly, EMP-derived and HSC-derived MC have distinct transcriptional profiles suggesting distinct biological functions (; ). If the CTMCs derived from HSC-independent cells can persist in significant numbers in the adult is unclear. Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer and Runx1-Mer-Cre-Mer fate-mapping studies suggest that they can, while Cdh5-CreERT2 based lineage tracing suggests a mostly fetal HSC origin of adult CTMC (). These contradictory findings highlight that data from fate-mapping models should be interpreted with caution and that currently, no model can definitively distinguish the progeny of late-EMP from fetal HSC.

Finally, YS-derived lymphoid cells have also been found to persist into adulthood. Early B and T-cells [B1a (; ) and γδ T (; ) cells], a primary source of innate immunity in early embryo development (), persist into adulthood and remain functionally distinct from their HSC-derived counterparts. The ontogeny and contribution of these YS-derived lymphocytes has been reviewed previously (; ). Finally, the existence of EMP-derived NK cells, possessing a potent degranulation response, has been reported recently (). This is particularly striking as NK cells are considered to be of lymphoid origin. However, it is unclear whether these EMP-derived NK cells are part of the myeloid lineage or if these findings have revealed lymphoid potential in EMP. Similarly, it is not clear to what extent EMP-derived NK cells persist into adulthood (; ; ; ).

HSC-Independent Macrophages Participate in Embryonic Organogenesis

The role of macrophages in tissue remodeling is an exciting field of ongoing research (; ). The discovery of adult YS-derived TRM populations with an M2-like non-inflammatory phenotype, associated with wound healing and tissue repair, hints at potential roles in embryonic organogenesis (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ). However, identifying unique and specific roles of HSC-independent cells is complicated by the fact that embryonic organ development spans across all hematopoietic waves. Below we highlight the instances where specific roles for HSC-independent macrophages have been identified (Figure 1B).

HSC-Independent Embryonic Macrophages Guide Vascular Network Organization in Developing Organs

Vascular networks are established by tip- and stalk- endothelial cells. Endothelial tip-cells, guided by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gradients, drive the direction of the vessel while the endothelial stalk-cells follow and establish the vessel lumen (). During embryonic organogenesis, macrophages have been shown to play an essential role in organizing endothelial networks. A role for HSC-independent macrophages in blood vessel anastomosis was first described in detail in the mouse embryonic hindbrain where it is entirely dependent on pMP/early EMP-derived macrophages (; ). These macrophages invade the brain in a CSF1-dependent manner. Subsequently, upon brain vascularization, the macrophages closely associate with tip-endothelial cells. Macrophage depletion in the brain [Pu.1 (; ) and Csf1 KO (; )], but not specific depletion of FL-derived macrophages (Lysm-Cre-mediated diphtheria toxin) (), significantly reduces the number of vessel intersections and thereby limits the overall complexity of the brain vascular network (; ).

Hematopoietic stem cells-independent macrophages also play a role in kidney and testis vascular network formation. In mouse embryos, the mesonephros (a temporary kidney structure) and the gonads (which will give rise to the testis in males) are established near the extending nephric ducts around E9. Further extension of the nephric duct results in the generation of uretic buds and the metanephros (precursor to the adult kidneys) around E10-E11.5 (). Proliferating primitive pMP/early EMP-derived macrophages (E7.5 pulsed Csf1r-Mer-iCre-Mer) are first detected in the gonadal region around E10.5 (). By E11.5-E13.5, these macrophages closely associate with and engulf EC of the mesonephros vascular plexus and testis vasculature. Depletion of fetal macrophages (Cx3cr1-Cre-mediated diphtheria toxin) results in an enlarged mesonephros vascular plexus, reduced migration of EC into the testis, and impaired development of the coelomic artery. Blood vessels start entering the metanephros between E11.5-E12, and YS-derived macrophages are consistently found perivascular at developing vascular fronts (; ; ). Analysis of macrophage depleted E12.5 kidney explants (anti-CSF1R depletion) showed increased numbers of unconnected endothelial structures and a reduction in vascular network size, consistent with a role for macrophages in vessel anastomosis.

The developing heart harbors macrophages derived from both the HSC-independent and HSC-dependent hematopoietic waves (Ccr2-GFP, Cx3cr1-GFP) (). HSC-independent macrophages (E7.5 pulsed Rosa26-tdCsf1r-MerCre) appear in the heart around E12.5 and predominantly populate the myocardium where they accumulate near perfused coronary vessels. Genetic depletion of macrophages (Csf1op/op) results in retarded primitive coronary plexus development. However, specific depletion of HSC-derived macrophages (Ccr2 KO) does not affect primitive coronary plexus development, indicating that HSC-independent macrophages are responsible for the modulation of the myocardial vascular network.

Finally, recent RNA-seq of a human Hofbauer cells (), a fetus-derived macrophage population found in the placenta, suggests that they may play a role in angiogenesis and remodeling (). Although Hofbauer cells have also been identified in mice (), their role has not yet been investigated in vivo.

It is tempting to postulate a generalized role for HSC-independent macrophages in the establishment of vascular networks during embryonic organogenesis. In support of this, HSC-independent macrophages have a similar role in organizing vascular networks in zebrafish, independently of specific organs ().

HSC-Independent Macrophages Directly Support Organogenesis

Hematopoietic stem cells-independent macrophages have also been directly implicated in embryonic organ development. The central nervous system is arguably one of the best-studied systems in this context, with YS-derived microglia playing a role in multiple perinatal brain developmental events (; ). Around E14.5, microglia accumulate near developing axonal tracts and their genetic (Pu.1 KO)/antibody-based depletion (anti-CSF1R) or their inappropriate activation (E13.5 lipopolysaccharide maternal immune activation), affects the development of interneuronal connections and dopaminergic axon outgrowth (). Similarly, in the peripheral nervous system, macrophages/microglia are found in close contact with developing sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia from E11. Genetic (Pu.1 KO) or antibody-based depletion (anti-CSF1R) of these macrophages alters the developmental trajectory of the sensory neurons ().

During gonad development, macrophages associate with and engulf mislocated germ (E10.5–E11.5) and Sertoli (E12.5) cells, and their absence (Cx3cr1-Cre/diphtheria toxin) results in irregularly branched and shortened testis cords (). Furthermore, depletion of macrophages during embryogenesis (Csf1op/op, anti-CSF1R depletion) but not postnatally (Ccr2 KO, anti-CSF1 depletion at birth) results in impaired spermatogenesis after birth (). Similar observations have been made in kidney development where the clearance of rostral nephrogenic cells and uretic bud formation are delayed in the absence of YS-macrophages (Cx3cr1-Cre/diphtheria toxin) (). These results suggest that embryonic macrophages are participating in gonad/testis and kidney development.

Yolk sac-derived osteoclasts are essential for normal skeletal development in the embryo and their absence (Csf1r KO model and Csf1-Cre-mediated Tnfrsf11a KO) disrupts tooth eruption, skull formation, long bone formation, and their timely hematopoietic colonization (; ; ; ). This phenotype is not observed when HSC-derived macrophages are deleted (Flt3-Cre-mediated and Csf1r KO) ().

Finally, heart development also depends on HSC-independent macrophages which, interestingly, originate locally from HE cells populating the endocardium (; ; ). An important phase in heart development is the establishment and remodeling of the heart valves which starts around E9.5 and concludes after birth. Specific depletion of endocardial macrophages (Nfatc-Cre-mediated Csf1r KO) demonstrated that they are essential for heart valve development and that macrophages of other sources cannot compensate for their loss ().

HSC-Independent Macrophages Support HSC Formation

Arguably the most striking function of HSC-independent macrophages is that they can affect HSC ontogeny. This has been studied in detail in zebrafish. HSCs generated in the dorsal aorta of zebrafish enter the circulation via the postcardinal vein (PCV) (; ; ). This requires newly formed HSC to traverse the mesenchyme separating the two vessels. Primitive macrophages accumulate in this subaortic mesenchyme and, via metalloproteinases mediated extracellular matrix degradation, create tracks for the HSC to enter the subaortic mesenchyme. These primitive macrophages then join the PCV from where they migrate to the zebrafish FL equivalent, known as the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT; ). Once the HSC reaches the CHT, a specific set of primitive VCAM+ macrophages (usher macrophages) interact with and “capture” passing HSPC and guide them into the CHT ().

In mice, HSC-independent macrophages also play an important role in HSC ontogeny. At E10.5, HSC-independent macrophages are found in close association with EC and IAHC in the AGM, where they possibly participate in moving KIT+ IAHC cells towards the aortic lumen (). The CXCL3 chemokine (expressed amongst others by HE and IAHC) is important for the macrophage accumulation in the AGM (). The deletion of its receptor, Cxcr3, results in increased numbers of macrophages in the YS and reduced numbers in the AGM. Reduction of the number of macrophages in the AGM, either by genetic (Cxcr3 KO) or chemical (clodronate and CSF1R inhibitor BLZ945) depletion, negatively affects HSC generation in the AGM (). Furthermore, both direct and indirect (transwell) co-culture experiments of AGM-derived aortic endothelial cells (including HE) with aortic macrophages result in an increase of the hematopoietic colony-forming capacity of the endothelial cells (). These results indicate an essential role for macrophage secreted factors in AGM EHT. RNA-seq of the aortic macrophages revealed that despite having an immune phenotype associated with anti-inflammatory or M2 type phenotype, they have a distinct pro-inflammatory transcriptome (). Currently, it is unclear if these macrophages promote emergence of all, or only subsets, of HSC.

Concluding Remarks

In the last decade, it has become clear that HSC-independent hematopoietic cells have previously unanticipated roles in both embryos and adults. They have been found to participate in organogenesis and persist in adults as distinct hematopoietic populations. There are however still many open questions about their exact role, origin, and contributions. In this context, the development of more precise and efficient genetic tracing models would be beneficial. Specifically, models that can efficiently differentiate wave 2 (late-EMP and LMP) from wave 3 (HSC) are needed.

It is also essential to acquire more detailed knowledge of the different hematopoietic waves, both mechanistically and in terms of their exact sites of origin. Indeed, the observation that heart-specific HE can give rise to a specialized population of macrophages, raises the question whether other specialized hematopoietic cells are produced in a site or organ-specific way. Both in the AGM and the YS, multiple sites of hematopoietic emergence have been described (; ; ; ; ; ). Closer investigation of these known sites as well as the identification of new sites could reveal the existence of new, functionally unique, hematopoietic populations. Furthermore, understanding if and how the distinct hematopoietic cells generated by the different waves interact to optimize blood production is equally fascinating. Altogether such knowledge could provide cues to develop better strategies for in vitro generation of HSCs and/or specific blood lineages from embryonic- and induced pluripotent stem cells (ES and IPSC). IPSC generated from different cellular sources may be inherently primed towards specific hematopoietic lineages. Additionally, it may be beneficial to incorporate mature hematopoietic cells into in vitro blood production protocols. Along these lines, it has been recently reported that macrophages can support the in vitro production of mature enucleated erythroid cells ().

Finally, findings in animal model systems are starting to be confirmed in humans. Macrophages have been found to accumulate in the human AGM at the time of HSC formation (), and single-cell sequencing indicates that human microglia are also derived from HSC-independent hematopoietic waves (). In conclusion, it is now well established that HSC-independent hematopoiesis is essential for embryonic organogenesis and its progeny can, and does, persist after birth. This has opened up a new and fascinating field of hematopoietic research.

Statements

Author contributions

WHN and ML wrote the manuscript. MZHF produced the figure. GL revised and edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

Funding

The work in our laboratory is supported by Cancer Research UK C5759/A20971 (GL) and Blood Cancer UK 19014 (GL).

Acknowledgments

We thank Renaud Mevel for critical reading of the manuscript. Due to space limitations we were, regrettably, unable to cite all manuscripts that have contributed to the discussed research topic.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

Summary

Keywords

yolk sac, lineage tracing, embryonic hematopoiesis, organogenesis, macrophage, hematopoietic waves, HSC-independent hematopoiesis

Citation

Neo WH, Lie-A-Ling M, Fadlullah MZH and Lacaud G (2021) Contributions of Embryonic HSC-Independent Hematopoiesis to Organogenesis and the Adult Hematopoietic System. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 9:631699. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.631699

Received

20 November 2020

Accepted

22 January 2021

Published

18 February 2021

Volume

9 - 2021

Edited by

Charlotta Boiers, Lund University, Sweden

Reviewed by

Mihaela Crisan, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Thierry Jaffredo, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France; Brandon Hadland, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, United States

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Georges Lacaud,

This article was submitted to Stem Cell Research, a section of the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Outline

Figures

Cite article

Copy to clipboard


Export citation file


Share article

Article metrics