Impact of Bone Marrow Natural Killer Cells (NK); Soluble TNF-α and IL-32 Levels in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are complex clonal hemopoietic progenitor cell disorders that result from the evolution of aberrant clones which lead to leukemia. Disorders of the immune system serve important functions in the pathophysiology and progression of this disorder. This study aimed to assess the bone marrow natural killer cells percentage as well as soluble TNF-α and sIL-32 concentration levels in MDS patients. Methods: Bone marrow samples were obtained from 34 MDS; 12 MDS-AML and 10 controls. The percentage of total NK cells and mature NK cells were determined by flowcytometry. Bone Marrow soluble TNF-α and sIL-32 concentration levels were measured by ELISA. Results: The percentage of total NK and mature NK cells were significantly lower in MDS patients as compared to controls (P<0.001). The NK cells percentages were significantly related to MDS severity scores being lowest in high score followed by intermediate score and then low score (P<0.001). Moreover; the bone marrow sTNF-α and sIL-32 levels were higher in AML-MDS group; followed by MDS group then the control group and the differences are statistically significant (P<0.001 for both). Conclusion: The reduction in NK cells might have a role in AML evolution on the top of MDS. Likewise, the bone marrow sTNF-α; and sIL32 might have a role in MDS cytopenia.