Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived and Fetal Macrophages Exhibit Mainly Features of Alternative (M2) Polarization.

Abstract Abstract 4598 Monocyte heterogeneity has long been recognized and 2 functional subsets of human monocytes that exert specific roles in homeostasis and inflammation in vivo, M1 and M2 monocytes, has been described. The different monocyte subsets seem to reflect developmental stages with distinct physiological roles but few is known whether the macrophage diversity arises in early ontogeny. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) provide an unique model for in vitro studies of the early ontogeny of the hematopoietic system. Human embryonic monocytes were obtained from embryoid bodies cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of BMP4, VEGF and a mixture of hematopoietic cytokines. The sorted CD1…