Fig. 1

Representative neutrophil subset distribution in health and diseases. Representative plots for neutrophil subsets are reported for (A) healthy subjects, (B) idiopathic cytopenia of unknown significance (ICUS), (C) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), (D) low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and (E) high-risk MDS. Low-density granulocytes (LDGs in purple) and normal-density neutrophils (NDNs in dark blue) are gated based on CD33 and CD15 expression, and can be also identified based on linear parameter (side scatter area, SSC-A) and CD45 expression, as LDGs have a lower SSC-A and increased CD45 expression. On NDNs, maturation curve is assessed using CD11b and CD16, and immature CD11b^-CD16^-, intermediate CD11b^+/-CD16^-, and mature CD11b⁺CD16⁺ cells are identified. On LDGs, maturation curve is investigated based on CD16 expression on CD15⁺ granulocytes, and immature CD16^-CD15⁺, intermediate CD16^-/+CD15⁺, and mature CD16⁺CD15⁺ cells are gated.