Towards understanding the cell surface phenotype, metabolic properties and immune functions of resident macrophages of the peritoneal cavity and splenic red pulp using high resolution quantitative proteomics

Background: Resident macrophages (Mϕs) are distributed throughout the body and are important for maintaining tissue homeostasis and for defence against infections. Tissue Mϕs are highly adapted to their microenvironment and thought to mediate tissue-specific functions involving metabolism and immune defence that are not fully elucidated.  Methods: : We have used high resolution quantitative proteomics to gain insights into the functions of two types of resident tissue Mϕs: peritoneal cavity Mϕs and splenic red pulp Mϕs.  The cellular expression levels of many proteins were validated by flow cytometry and were consistently in agreement with the proteomics data. Results: : Peritoneal and splenic red pulp macrophages displayed major differences in cell surface phenotype reflecting their adaptation to different tissue microenvironments and tissue-specific functions. Peritoneal Mϕs were shown to be enriched in a number of key enzymes and metabolic pathways normally associated with the liver, such as metabolism of fructose, detoxification, nitrogen homeostasis and the urea cycle. Supporting these observations, we show that peritoneal Mϕs are able to utilise glutamine and glutamate which are rich in peritoneum for urea generation.  In comparison, splenic red pulp Mϕs were enriched in proteins important for adaptive immunity such as antigen presenting MHC molecules, in addition to proteins required for erythrocyte homeostasis and iron turnover. We also show that these tissue Mϕs may utilise carbon and nitrogen substrates for different metabolic fates to support distinct tissue-specific roles. Conclusions: : This study provides new insights into the functions of tissue Mϕs in immunity and homeostasis.  The comprehensive proteomics data sets are a valuable resource for biologists and immunologists.