Patterns of monocyte subpopulations and their surface expression of HLA-DR during adverse events after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Human leukocyte antigen DR surface expression in "classical" CD14++CD16- (M1), "intermediate" CD14++CD16+ (M2), and "non-classical" CD14+CD16++ (M3) monocytes reflects the activation state of these cells. The full spectrum of monocyte and its function is still unknown. The present pilot study describes the monocyte subpopulations and their human leukocyte antigen DR expression during the post-transplant period as well as during transplant-related adverse events of 30 pediatric patients and young adults with hemato-oncological malignancies and immunodeficiency disorders in comparison to healthy children and young adults. A significant change of the human leukocyte antigen DR expression in all three monocyte subpopulations during the period after bone marrow transplantation depending on the time after transplantation and adverse events could be recognized. Prior to and during sepsis or bacterial infection, a significant decrease in human leukocyte antigen DR expression occurred. A significant increase on CD14++CD16- monocytes could be observed during graft-versus-host disease. The alterations of human leukocyte antigen DR expression on the monocyte subpopulations during adverse events after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be a sign of changes in the capacity of these subpopulations. Moreover, human leukocyte antigen DR expression in monocyte subpopulations may be used to monitor treatment responses in these entities.