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The angiocrine Rspondin3 instructs interstitial macrophage transition via metabolic–epigenetic reprogramming and resolves inflammatory injury

Nature Immunology volume 21, pages 1430–1443 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Macrophages demonstrate remarkable plasticity that is essential for host defense and tissue repair. The tissue niche imprints macrophage identity, phenotype and function. The role of vascular endothelial signals in tailoring the phenotype and function of tissue macrophages remains unknown. The lung is a highly vascularized organ and replete with a large population of resident macrophages. We found that, in response to inflammatory injury, lung endothelial cells release the Wnt signaling modulator Rspondin3, which activates β-catenin signaling in lung interstitial macrophages and increases mitochondrial respiration by glutaminolysis. The generated tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate α-ketoglutarate, in turn, serves as the cofactor for the epigenetic regulator TET2 to catalyze DNA hydroxymethylation. Notably, endothelial-specific deletion of Rspondin3 prevented the formation of anti-inflammatory interstitial macrophages in endotoxemic mice and induced unchecked severe inflammatory injury. Thus, the angiocrine–metabolic–epigenetic signaling axis specified by the endothelium is essential for reprogramming interstitial macrophages and dampening inflammatory injury.

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Fig. 1: ECs instruct macrophage phenotype transition via the angiocrine factor Rspondin3.
Fig. 2: Rspondin3 mediates lung IM phenotype transition and prevents inflammatory lung injury.
Fig. 3: LGR4 expressed in macrophages is required for Rspondin3-induced macrophage phenotype transition.
Fig. 4: β-catenin signals Rspondin3-induced macrophage phenotype transition.
Fig. 5: Rspondin3 increases mitochondrial respiration through glutamine metabolism.
Fig. 6: Rspondin3 induces TET2-mediated DNA hydroxymethylation of anti-inflammatory genes.

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Data availability

Source data are provided with this paper. Other data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

The studies were supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01-HL45638 (to A.B.M.), P01-HL60678 (to A.B.M. and J.R.), T32-HL007829 (to A.B.M.), R01-HL118068 (to J.R. and A.B.M.) and R01-HL90152 (to J.R. and A.B.M.). The VE-Cadherin-CreERT2 mice were kindly provided by R. Adams at the Max Planck Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Bisheng Zhou, Lissette Magana, Zhigang Hong, Long Shuang Huang, Sreeparna Chakraborty, Yoshikazu Tsukasaki, Cary Huang, Li Wang, Anke Di, Xiaopei Gao, Jalees Rehman & Asrar B. Malik

  2. Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Bisheng Zhou, Lissette Magana, Zhigang Hong, Long Shuang Huang, Sreeparna Chakraborty, Yoshikazu Tsukasaki, Cary Huang, Li Wang, Anke Di, Xiaopei Gao, Jalees Rehman & Asrar B. Malik

  3. Research Resources Center, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA

    Balaji Ganesh

  4. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jalees Rehman

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Contributions

B.Z., J.R. and A.B.M. designed the experiments and evaluated the data. B.Z., L.M., Z.H., L.S.H., S.C., Y.T., C.H., L.W., A.D., B.G. and X.G. performed the experiments. B.Z., J.R. and A.B.M. conceived the project and directed the research. B.Z., J.R. and A.B.M. wrote the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jalees Rehman or Asrar B. Malik.

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Extended data

Extended Data Fig. 1 Endothelial cells instruct macrophage phenotype transition via Rspondin3.

a, Schematic of investigation of the angiocrine effects of ECs on macrophages; b, mRNA levels of Rspo3 in ECs with or without activated by LPS was measured by qPCR; n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd), two-sided unpaired Student’s t-test was determined using GraphPad Prism. ns P=0.5417. c, Alternatively activated (M2) and classically activated (M1) macrophages measured by flow cytometry from three independent experiments with n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are ***P=0.0006, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001. d, Representative flow cytometry plots from three independent repeats showing ratios of M1 (CD86hiCD206lo) and M2 (CD206hiCD86lo) populations in BMDMs treated with control medium, EC-conditioned medium (EC), or activated EC conditioned medium (Activated EC) for 24h, respectively; e, Represented overlaid flow cytometry histograms from three independent repeats showing the MFI of the anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80) in BMDMs stimulated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination for 24h; f, Gene expression levels of anti-inflammatory maker genes (Mrc1, Arg1, Retnla, Chil3) and pro-inflammatory marker genes (Cd86, Cxcl1, Il1b, Tnf) as measured by qPCR in BMDMs treated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination for 24h from three independent experiments with n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ***P=0.0003, ***P=0.0001, *P=0.0126, ns: P=0.9486, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.2351, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9462, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.8783, ****P<0.0001.

Source data

Extended Data Fig. 2 Rspondin3 regulates macrophage phenotype transition via an angiocrine manner.

a, Levels of anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301, arginase 1, IL-10) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80, TNF, iNOS) measured by flow cytometry in BMDMs incubated with the EC conditioned medium collected from lung ECs isolated from wildtype mice (WT EC), Rspo3EC-/- mice (ECRspo3-/-) at baseline or endotoxemia conditions (LPS i.p., 12 mg/kg for 24h) (LPS/WT EC, LPS/ ECRspo3-/-), respectively; Data are representative of three independent experiments with n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd), statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: CD206 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9405, ***P=0.0002, ****P<0.0001), CD301 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9991, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), arginase1 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.4164, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), IL-10 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9933, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), CD86 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.8224, ***P=0.0001, ns P= 0.9075), CD80 (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.7688), TNF (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.4519, **P=0.0061, ns P=0.9997), iNOS (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9996, ns P=0.6726, ns P>0.9999). b, Levels of anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301, arginase 1, IL-10) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80, TNF, iNOS) measured by flow cytometry in BMDMs co-cultured in-contact with the ECs from wildtype mice (WT EC), or Rspo3EC-/- mice (ECRspo3-/-) at basal conditions or mice challenged with sublethal LPS (WT EC/LPS, ECRspo3-/-/LPS), respectively; Data are representative of three independent experiments with n=3 samples per group (mean ± s.d), with each dot representing an individual sample. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are CD206 (****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999), CD301 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9977, ns P=0.9998), arginase1 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9328, ns P=0.9998), IL-10 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.8989, ns P=0.9393), CD86 (ns P=0.8308, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9600), CD80 (ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9679), TNF (ns P=0.9997, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9903), iNOS (ns P= 0.9996, ****P<0.0001, ns P= 0.2748).

Source data

Extended Data Fig. 3 Rspondin3 regulates lung interstitial macrophage phenotype transition following acute lung injury.

a, Absolute cell number of lung myeloid cells including neutrophils, eosinophils, Ly6C+ Mo, Ly6C- Mo, CD103+ DC, plasmacytoid DC and CD11b+ DC in WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice with or without Rspondin3 i.v. under baseline conditions and post sublethal LPS challenge for 24h or 48h as measured by CyTOF (data are representative of three independent experiments with n=5 mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: neutrophils (ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9995, ns P=0.9991, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9864, ns P=0.2420, ns P=0.6898), eosinophils (ns P>0.9710, ns P>0.9789, ns P>0.9865), Ly6C+ Mo (ns P>0.9933, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.8936, ns P=0.7754, ns P>0.9878), Ly6C- Mo (ns P>0.9942, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9059, ns P=0.7988, ns P>0.9807), CD103+ DC (ns P>0.9676, ns P>0.1488, ns P>0.8806), plasmacytoid DC (ns P>0.9445, ns P>0.2290, ns P>0.9786), CD11b+ DC (ns P>0.9377, ns P>0.2463, ns P>0.9941); b, Levels of anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301, RELMα, arginase 1, IL-10) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80, iNOS, TNF, CD69) in lung IM in WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice with or without Rspondin3 i.v. under basal and post sublethal LPS challenge for 24h or 48h measured by CyTOF (data are representative of three independent experiments with five mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: CD206 (ns P>0.4229, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, **P=0.0095, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), CD301 (ns P>0.2041, ***P=0.0002, **P=0.0049, *P=0.0439, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), RELMα (ns P=0.4547, **P=0.0023, ns P=0.6850, **P=0.0028, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.1014, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), arginase 1 (ns P=0.1315, ns P=0.0640, ns P=0.2260, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), IL-10 (ns P=0.0847, ns P=0.5465, ns P=0.3525, **P=0.0037, *P=0.0448, *P=0.0217, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), CD86 (ns P>0.7231, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), CD80 (ns P>0.9697, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), iNOS (ns P>0.9568, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), TNF (ns P>0.9977, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), CD69 (ns P>0.9790, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, **P=.0015, ****P<0.0001). c, Heatmap for the levels of anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301, RELMα, arginase 1, IL-10) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80, iNOS, TNF, CD69) in lung AM in WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice with or without Rspondin3 i.v. under baseline conditions and post sublethal LPS challenge for 24h or 48h as measured by CyTOF (Data are representative of three independent experiments with n = 5 mice per group, shown as fold change by the mean CyTOF signal intensity normalized to Control group); d, Wnt signaling activities in mice lung myeloid populations determined by CyTOF using Wnt reporter mice (TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP transgenic mice) with or without Rspondin3 i.v. (Data are representative of three independent experiments with five mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9301, ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9992, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999.

Source data

Extended Data Fig. 4 Rspondin3 regulates lung interstitial macrophage phenotype transition following acute lung injury.

a, Gene expression profiling performed by qPCR to evaluate the expression of macrophage marker genes, anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory genes in sorted IM and AM from WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice lungs under baseline conditions and endotoxemia. Heatmap shows the fold change of gene levels as normalized to WT IM at basal conditions (Data are representative of three independent experiments, n=3 samples per group); b, Lung myeloid populations analyzed by CyTOF in WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice subjected to bleomycin induced acute lung injury and basal conditions (Data are representative of three independent experiments with five mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: IM (*P=0.0487, ****P<0.0001), AM (ns P<0.3554, ns P<0.9932), neutrophils (ns P=0.9329, ns P=0.9798), eosinophils (ns P=0.9557, ns P=0.7925), Ly6C+ Mo (ns P=0.8486, ns P=0.9777), Ly6C- Mo (ns P=0.9040, ns P=0.9863), CD103+ DC (ns P=0.9526, ns P=0.7602), plasmacytoid DC (ns P=0.9410, ns P=0.7104), CD11b+ DC (ns P=0.9613, ns P=0.7995); c, Levels of the anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301, arginase 1, IL-10) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80, iNOS, TNF) in IM in WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice under baseline conditions and post bleomycin injury for 5 days as measured by CyTOF (Data are representative of three independent experiments with n=5 mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: CD206 (ns P=0.7843, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9642), CD301 (ns P=0.5538, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999), arginase 1 (ns P=0.3438, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9857, ns P=0.9963), IL-10 (ns P=0.6175, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9926, ns P=0.9502), CD86 (ns P=0.0553, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9178, ns P=0.9983), CD80 (ns P=0.0882, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9978, ns P=0.9970), iNOS (ns P=0.1009, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9991, ns P=0.7604), TNF (ns P=0.0736, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9997, ns P=0.9979); d, Representative overlaid CyTOF histograms showing the CyTOF signal intensity of the anti-inflammatory markers (CD206, CD301, arginase 1, IL-10) and pro-inflammatory markers (CD86, CD80, TNF, iNOS) in IM and AM in WT and Rspo3EC-/- mice at baseline conditions or 5 days after bleomycin i.t. for data in (e).

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Extended Data Fig. 5 Macrophage expressed receptor LGR4 is required for Rspondin3-induced macrophage phenotype transition.

a, Gene expression levels of anti-inflammatory marker genes (Mrc1, Arg1, Retnla, Chil3) and pro-inflammatory marker genes (Cd86, Il1b, Tnf, Cxcl1) measured by qPCR in BMDMs with or without Lgr4 depletion at basal conditions, or treated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or combination of both for 24h from three independent experiments with n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: Mrc1 (ns P=0.9997, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, *P=0.0488), Arg1 (ns P=0.9708, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.3532, ****P<0.0001), Retnla (ns P=0.7211, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9663, ****P<0.0001), Chil3 (ns P=0.6858, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.6939, ***P=0.0001), Cd86 (ns P=0.3993, *P=0.0419, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), Il1b (ns P=0.8936, ns P=0.8526, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), Tnf (ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.3417, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), Cxcl1 (ns P=0.9976, ns P=0.9584, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001). b, mRNA levels of Lgr4 in sorted IM and AM measured by qPCR; n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd), two-sided unpaired t-test was determined using GraphPad Prism. **P=0.0012. c, Levels of LGR4 in myeloid populations in mice lung evaluated by CyTOF (Data are representative of three independent experiments with n=5 mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by ordinary one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism. ****P<0.0001. d, Levels of LGR4 in IM in WT and Lgr4Mφ-/- mice with or without Rspondin3 i.v. under baseline conditions and post sublethal LPS challenge for 24h measured by CyTOF (Data are representative of three independent experiments with n=5 mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001.

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Extended Data Fig. 6 β-catenin is required for Rspondin3-induced macrophage phenotype transition.

Levels of anti-inflammatory marker genes (Mrc1, Arg1, Retnla, Chil3) and pro-inflammatory marker genes (Cd86, Il1b, Tnf, Cxcl1) measured by qPCR in BMDMs from Ctnnb1Mφ-/- and WT mice at basal condition, or treated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or combination of both for 24h; Data are representative of three independent experiments with n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: Mrc1 (ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001), Arg1 (ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001), Retnla (ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9716, ****P<0.0001), Chil3 (ns P=0.9998, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.8135, ****P<0.0001), Cd86 (ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9878, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), Il1b (ns P=0.9999, ns P=0.9946, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), Tnf (ns P=0.9854, ns P=0.9426, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001), Cxcl1 (ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9975, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001).

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Extended Data Fig. 7 Rspondin3 mediated increase in mitochondrial respiration through glutamine metabolism.

a, Basal extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) measured in macrophages stimulated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination for 24h with complete DMEM medium containing 10 mM glucose, 2 mM glutamine, 2 mM sodium pyruvate as substrate; Data are representative of three independent experiments, with 10-12 samples per group. Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual sample per time point. Statistical significance was determined by ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism, P values are ***P=0.0003, ****P<0.0001. b, Basal ECAR measured in macrophages stimulated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination with only 2 mM glutamine as substrate; Data are representative of three independent experiments, with 10-12 samples per group. Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual sample per time point. Statistical significance was determined by ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism, P values are ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001. c, Basal ECAR measured in BMDMs stimulated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination with only 10 nM free fatty acid as palmitate bound to BSA added as substrate; Data are representative of three independent experiments, with 10-12 samples per group. Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual sample per time point. Statistical significance was determined by ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism, P values are ns P=0.9681, ns P=0.3389. d, Basal ECAR measured in BMDMs stimulated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination with only10 mM glucose as substrate; Data are representative of three independent experiments, with 10-12 samples per group. Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual sample per time point. Statistical significance was determined by ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism, P values are ns P=0.9694, ns P=0.9000. e, Basal ECAR measured in WT, Lgr4Mφ-/- and Ctnnb1Mφ-/- macrophages stimulated with or without Rspondin3 with only 2 mM glutamine as substrate; Data are representative of three independent experiments, graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual sample per time point. Statistical significance was determined by ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism, P values are **P=0.0041, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999. f, Glutaminase activity measured in WT, Lgr4Mφ-/- and Ctnnb1Mφ-/- BMDMs under basal, or stimulated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination. Data are representative of three independent experiments (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism. P values (left to right) are ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9995, ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9881, ns P>0.9999. g, Relative gene expression of glutaminase genes – Gls and Gls2 in WT, Lgr4Mφ-/- and Ctnnb1Mφ-/- BMDMs with or without Rspondin3 stimulation measured by qPCR; Data are representative of three independent experiments, n=3 samples from three individual mice per group (mean ± sd), statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism. P values are ns P>0.9999, ****P<0.0001.

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Extended Data Fig. 8 Rspondin3 induces TET2-mediated DNA hydroxymethylation of anti-inflammatory genes.

a, hMeDIP performed on WT, Lgr4Mφ-/-, Ctnnb1Mφ-/- and Tet2Mφ-/- BMDMs treated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or combination of both, and qPCR with primers targeting the proximal promoters of the indicated genes were used to detect the enrichment of 5hmC; Data are representative of three independent experiments, n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism. P values (left to right) are: Chil3 (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9998, ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9983, ns P>0.9999), Retnla (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999, P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999, ns P>0.9999). b, ChIP with an anti-H3K4me3 antibody were performed on WT, Lgr4Mφ-/-, Ctnnb1Mφ-/- and Tet2Mφ-/- BMDMs treated with Rspondin3, LPS alone or in combination, and qPCR with primers targeting the proximal promoters of the indicated genes were used to detect the enrichment of H3K4me3; Data are representative of three independent experiments, n=3 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism. P values (left to right) are: Chil3 (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9920, ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.9883, ns P=0.9843, ns P=0.6545, ns P>0.9900), Retnla (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9998, ns P>0.9999, P=0.9992, ns P>0.9999, ns P=0.8940, ns P=0.9994). c, Bar figure showing levels of anti-inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory markers in lung IM in WT and Tet2Mφ-/- mice with or without Rspondin3 i.v. under basal and post-sublethal LPS challenge for 24h as measured by CyTOF (data are representative of three independent experiments with five mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d, with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are: CD206 (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9618), CD301 (**P=0.0015, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9723), arginase 1 (****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9945), IL-10 (**P=0.0019, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.8873), CD86 (****P<0.0001, ***P=0.0002, ns P=0.9799), CD80 (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.1255, ns P=0.8631), iNOS (****P<0.0001, ns P=0.6380, ns P=0.8866), TNF (****P<0.0001, **P=0.0012, ns P=0.8863). d, Absolute cell number for IM in WT and Tet2Mφ-/- mice with or without Rspondin3 i.v. under basal conditions and post sublethal LPS challenge for 24h measured by CyTOF (Data are representative of three independent experiments with five mice per group). Graphs show the mean ± s.d., with each dot representing an individual mouse. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism with individual P values (left to right) are ns P>0.4182, ****P<0.0001, ****P<0.0001, ns P=0.9444; e, Representative confocal images for immunofluorescent staining with anti-TET2 and anti-β-catenin antibodies performed on BMDMs stimulated with Rspondin3 or PBS from three independent repeats, and quantified data are shown (right) with n=5 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed unpaired t test using GraphPad Prism. **** P<0.0001. f, Representative confocal images for in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) with anti-TET2 and anti-β-catenin antibodies to detect interactions were performed on BMDMs stimulated with Rspondin3 or PBS (three independent repeats), and quantified data are shown (right) with n=5 samples per group (mean ± sd); Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed unpaired t test using GraphPad Prism. **** P<0.0001. g, Model: The angiocrine-metabolic-epigenetic axis regulates lung IM phenotypic transition. Lung ECs release Rspondin3, which binds to its cell surface receptor-LGR4 in IM and activates β-catenin leading to increased α-ketoglutarate concentration through activation of glutaminolysis, followed by induction of TET2 mediated epigenetic reprograming. TET2 mediated DNA hydroxymethylation increases expression of anti-inflammatory genes in IM and prevents inflammatory lung injury.

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Supplementary information

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Zhou, B., Magana, L., Hong, Z. et al. The angiocrine Rspondin3 instructs interstitial macrophage transition via metabolic–epigenetic reprogramming and resolves inflammatory injury. Nat Immunol 21, 1430–1443 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-020-0764-8

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