Sex-dependent up regulation of CD 177-specific mRNA expression in cord blood due to different stimuli

The neutrophil-specific CD 177 molecule (NB1 glycoprotein/HNA-2a) has gained clinical interest because of its involvement in severe antibody-dependent diseases like transfusion-related acute lung injury and neonatal alloimmune neutropenia. Up regulation of CD 177 in response to different stimuli (granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, bacterial infections) has been described in adults.

The regulation of CD 177 expression was evaluated on mRNA and glycoprotein levels from cord blood neutrophils of 56 neonates, 38 of them with complications during pregnancy or delivery. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were used for quantification.

White blood cells from neonates of both sexes showed significantly elevated glycoprotein and mRNA levels compared to adults. In addition, there was a significant mRNA up regulation in female newborns predominantly occurring in cases with pathologic cardiotocogram, premature rupture of the amniotic membrane, and health disorders of the mother.

These findings show a significantly increased CD 177 expression in neutrophils from newborns compared to adults, which suggests the existence of additional factors being able to stimulate CD 177 expression.