Tissue-resident neutrophils serve homeostatic and immunological functions in embryos

Abstract Development of neutrophils in the bone marrow and their crucial role in first-line defense are well understood in adults, but remarkably little is known about fetal neutrophils. Here, we analyzed the production, distribution, and functions of neutrophils during embryonic development in the mouse. We discovered that multiple non-hematopoietic steady-state organs harbor substantial numbers of immature and mature neutrophils, many of which are localized to tissue parenchyma outside the vessels. Using single-cell transcriptomic analyses, we revealed the presence of neutrophil progenitors and precursor cells in the blood and even in non-hematopoietic tissues in fetal and newborn mice. Embryonic tissue-resident neutrophils were transcriptionally different from embryonic blood-borne neutrophils and adult neutrophils. We demonstrated, through functional analyses, that embryonic neutrophils proliferated actively, had a high glycolytic capacity, and exhibited distinct diurnal rhythmicity. Embryonic neutrophils displayed lineage-specific innate immune effector functions and were responsive to maternal immunostimulation and immunosuppression. Using a genetic embryonic neutrophil depletion model, we discovered that neutrophils impact the piRNA pathway in the testis. Collectively, our data provides an atlas of the fetal neutrophil landscape and dissects their responses in steady-state. Summary Non-hematopoietic steady-state tissues harbor extravascular immature and mature neutrophils during fetal development. Embryonic neutrophils are endowed with multiple effector mechanisms and also serve homeostatic roles during tissue development.