GSE203095
Unravelling the sex-specific diversity and functions of adrenal gland macrophages (scRNA-Seq).
Despite the ubiquitous function of macrophages across the body, the diversity, origin, and function of adrenal gland macrophages remain largely unknown. We defined the heterogeneity of adrenal gland immune cells using single-cell RNA sequencing and used genetic models to explore the developmental mechanisms yielding to macrophage diversity. We defined populations of monocyte-derived and embryonically seeded adrenal gland macrophages and identified a female-specific subset with low MHC-II expression. In adulthood, monocyte recruitment dominated adrenal gland macrophage maintenance in female mice, while self-proliferation was more important in males. Adrenal gland macrophage sub-tissular distribution followed a sex-dimorphic pattern, with MHC-IIlow macrophages located at the border between the cortex and the medulla. Macrophage sex dimorphism depended on the presence of the cortical Xzone. Forcing X-zone maintenance in males, or its degradation in females, directly impacted the presence of MHC-IIlow macrophages. Adrenal gland macrophage depletion resulted in altered tissue homeostasis, modulated lipid- metabolism and decreased local aldosterone production during stress exposure. Overall, these data explain the heterogeneity of adrenal gland macrophages and point toward sexrestricted distribution and functions of these cells. Overall design: Males and females seven week old adrenal glands of C57BL/6 J were collected and digested. Cells suspension were stained using viability dye (DAPI) and CD45 antibody and all the alive CD45 cells were analysed using SCRNA-seq.