# Bone marrow monocytes and macrophages from mice lacking βENaC and ASIC2 have a reduced chemotactic migration response and polarization

## TL;DR

This study shows that certain proteins in mouse bone marrow cells affect their movement and immune response, which could be important for treating injuries or diseases.

## Contribution

The study identifies βENaC and ASIC2 as key regulators of macrophage migration and polarization in bone marrow.

## Key findings

- αENaC, βENaC, and ASIC2 subunits contribute to chemotactic migration in bone marrow monocyte–macrophages.
- Loss of βENaC and ASIC2 shifts macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype.
- Rescue of βENaC or ASIC2 recovers select M1 phenotypic markers.

## Abstract

The monocyte–macrophage system plays an important role in phagocytosis of pathogens and cellular debris following infection or tissue injury in several pathophysiological conditions. We examined ENaC/ASIC subunit transcript expression and the importance of select subunits in migration of bone marrow derived monocytes (freshly isolated) and macrophages (monocytes differentiated in culture). We also examined the effect of select subunit deletion on macrophage phenotype. BM monocytes were harvested from the femurs of male and female WT and KO mice (6–12 weeks of age). Our results show that α, β, γENaC, and ASIC1‐5 transcripts are expressed in BM macrophages and monocytes to varying degrees. At least αENaC, βENaC, and ASIC2 subunits contribute to chemotactic migration responses in BM monocyte–macrophages. Polarization markers (CD86, soluble TNFα) in BM macrophages from mice lacking ASIC2a plus βENaC were shifted towards the M1 phenotype. Furthermore, select M1 phenotypic markers were recovered with rescue of βENaC or ASIC2. Taken together, these data suggest that βENaC and ASIC2 play an important role in BM macrophage migration and loss of βENaC and/or ASIC2 partially polarizes macrophages to the M1 phenotype. Thus, targeting ENaC/ASIC expression in BM macrophages may regulate their ability to migrate to sites of injury.