The transcriptomic analytical level determines the human monocyte-derived macrophage response toward either the infectious agent or the host
Résumé
Macrophages exhibit multifunctional activity and play a central role in the response to
infectious agents. It is commonly accepted that the plasticity of the response of macrophages
depends on the type of stimuli. Here we re-evaluate whether the macrophage response is
only dependent on the stimulus. We analyzed the transcriptomic profile of monocyte-derived
macrophages (MDMs) that were activated with several pathogens and multiple in vitrostimulations.
The transcriptomic data were normalized using matched-pair analysis. Further
analysis showed a clustering association with (i) specific signatures of the infectious agent
and its strategy as well as (ii) a preponderance of MDM overall responses related to
individuals. Currently, the null hypothesis H0 is that the innate MDM response is globally
associated with the pathogen. Our results reveal that the global innate MDM response is
intrinsically and predominantly associated with the individual. Thus, the hypothesis is
supported or negated depending on the transcriptomic analytical level.