Multicenter Systems Analysis of Human Blood Reveals Immature Neutrophils in Males and During Pregnancy.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-15-2017

JAX Source

J Immunol 2017 Mar 15; 198(6):2479-2488.

Volume

198

Issue

6

First Page

2479

Last Page

2488

ISSN

1550-6606

PMID

28179497

Abstract

Despite clear differences in immune system responses and in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases between males and females, there is little understanding of the processes involved. In this study, we identified a gene signature of immature-like neutrophils, characterized by the overexpression of genes encoding for several granule-containing proteins, which was found at higher levels (up to 3-fold) in young (20-30 y old) but not older (60 to >89 y old) males compared with females. Functional and phenotypic characterization of peripheral blood neutrophils revealed more mature and responsive neutrophils in young females, which also exhibited an elevated capacity in neutrophil extracellular trap formation at baseline and upon microbial or sterile autoimmune stimuli. The expression levels of the immature-like neutrophil signature increased linearly with pregnancy, an immune state of increased susceptibility to certain infections. Using mass cytometry, we also find increased frequencies of immature forms of neutrophils in the blood of women during late pregnancy. Thus, our findings show novel sex differences in innate immunity and identify a common neutrophil signature in males and in pregnant women. J Immunol 2017 Mar 15; 198(6):2479-2488.

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