Increased Circulating of CD54^highCD181^low Neutrophils in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a group of heterogeneous hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells clonal diseases, characteristic features with myeloid dysplasia, leading to abnormality of neutrophils. Recent studied have showed that neutrophils act not only as professional killers, but also as regulators of innate and adaptive immune in infection and inflammatory condition. The CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils are a kind of reverse-transmigrated neutrophils characterized proinflammatory phenotype. We investigated the frequency and functional properties of circulating CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils in patients with untreated MDS. Frequency of CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils was significantly increased in MDS patients and related to the severity of the disease. Furthermore, CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils suppressed CD8+ T cells functions in vitro. CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils lead to upregulation of PD1 on CD8+ T cells. Higher CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils were related to poor prognosis and more infections. The frequency of CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils decreased in high risk MDS patients who had response after treatment with decitabine. Overall, we identified CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils expanded in MDS. The exact mechanisms of increased CD54^highCD181^low neutrophils and its effect on immune function remain to be elucidated.