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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
10:15
Isolation and Characterization of Neutrophils with Anti-Tumor Properties
Published on: June 19, 2015
CD177 Deficiency Defines a Stable Subtype of Human Neutrophil Granulocytes with Tumor Promoting Activity
Marcel Jung1, Alexander Beer1, Susmita Ghosh2
1Institute For Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 22, 2026
Summary
CD177 protein absence defines a stable neutrophil subpopulation with pro-tumoral functions. These CD177-negative neutrophils are linked to cancer progression and adverse outcomes, challenging previous views of CD177 as a dynamic marker.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD177 is a surface protein on human neutrophils, implicated in tissue infiltration.
- Circulating neutrophils exist as CD177-expressing (CD177+) and CD177-non-expressing (CD177-) populations with differing functions and disease impacts.
- CD177 was previously considered a dynamic activation marker expressed by most neutrophils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stability and functional significance of CD177-expressing and CD177-non-expressing neutrophil subpopulations.
- To determine if CD177 expression is a stable trait or a dynamic marker of neutrophil activation.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry and protein analysis to characterize CD177+ and CD177- neutrophil populations.
- In vitro stimulation assays to assess CD177 expression dynamics.
- Analysis of neutrophil populations post-stem cell transplantation.
- Assessment of arginase expression and tumor-supporting activity in CD177- neutrophils.
- Correlation of CD177- neutrophil enrichment with head-and-neck cancer tissues and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- CD177- neutrophils represent a stable subpopulation that does not acquire CD177.
- The ratio of CD177+ to CD177- neutrophils is stable within individuals over time and independent of circadian rhythms or inflammation.
- CD177- neutrophils maintain their CD177- status during in vitro stimulation and exhibit distinct protein compositions compared to CD177+ cells.
- The bone marrow dictates the CD177 pattern of mature neutrophils after stem cell transplantation.
- CD177- neutrophils display pro-tumoral properties, including elevated arginase and enhanced tumor support.
- CD177- neutrophils are enriched in head-and-neck cancers and associated with adverse clinical outcomes.
Conclusions:
- CD177 expression defines stable human neutrophil subtypes with distinct functional roles.
- CD177- neutrophils possess pro-tumoral characteristics and are associated with poor prognosis in cancer.
- The findings redefine CD177 as a marker for stable neutrophil subpopulations rather than a dynamic activation marker.
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