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Updated: May 12, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of Neutrophil-derived Microparticles for Functional Studies
Published on: March 2, 2018
MicroRNA profiling in human neutrophils during bone marrow granulopoiesis and in vivo exudation
Maria T Larsen1, Christoffer Hother, Mattias Häger
1The Granulocyte Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology, National University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to describe the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of neutrophils and their precursors from the initiation of granulopoiesis in the bone marrow to extravasation and accumulation in skin windows. We analyzed three different cell populations from human bone marrow, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMNs) from peripheral blood, and extravasated PMNs from skin windows using the Affymetrix 2.0 platform. Our data reveal 135 miRNAs differentially regulated during bone marrow granulopoiesis. The majority is differentially regulated between the myeloblast/promyelocyte (MB/PM) and myelocyte/metamyelocyte (MC/MM) stages of development. These 135 miRNAs were divided into six clusters according to the pattern of their expression. Several miRNAs demonstrate a pronounced increase or reduction at the transition between MB/PM and MC/MM, which is associated with cell cycle arrest and the initiation of terminal differentiation. Seven miRNAs are differentially up-regulated between peripheral blood PMNs and extravasated PMNs and only one of these (miR-132) is also differentially regulated during granulopoiesis. The study indicates that several different miRNAs participate in the regulation of normal granulopoiesis and that miRNAs might also regulate activities of extravasated neutrophils. The data present the miRNA profiles during the development and activation of the neutrophil granulocyte in healthy humans and thus serves as a reference for further research of normal and malignant granulocytic development.
Insights
This study maps microRNA (miRNA) expression during neutrophil development and activation. Key miRNA changes occur during granulopoiesis and neutrophil extravasation, offering insights into neutrophil regulation.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Neutrophils are critical immune cells involved in host defense.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
- Understanding miRNA roles in neutrophil development and function is essential for comprehending immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile microRNA (miRNA) expression during human neutrophil development (granulopoiesis) from bone marrow to extravasation.
- To identify specific miRNAs involved in regulating neutrophil differentiation and activation.
- To establish a reference miRNA profile for normal neutrophil granulocyte development and activation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA expression profiles in human bone marrow myeloid precursors, peripheral blood neutrophils, and extravasated neutrophils from skin windows.
- Utilized the Affymetrix 2.0 platform for high-throughput miRNA analysis.
- Clustering of differentially expressed miRNAs based on expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Identified 135 differentially regulated miRNAs during bone marrow granulopoiesis, with significant changes between early (myeloblast/promyelocyte) and later (myelocyte/metamyelocyte) developmental stages.
- Observed distinct miRNA expression patterns associated with cell cycle arrest and terminal differentiation initiation.
- Found seven miRNAs upregulated in extravasated neutrophils compared to peripheral blood neutrophils, with miR-132 showing differential regulation during both granulopoiesis and extravasation.
Conclusions:
- Multiple miRNAs play crucial roles in regulating normal granulopoiesis.
- miRNAs are likely involved in modulating the activities of extravasated neutrophils.
- The generated miRNA profiles serve as a valuable reference for studying normal and malignant granulocytic development and neutrophil function.
