Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2026, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (9): 918-922.doi: 10.11958/20253702

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The relationship between monocyte subsets and IL-37 changes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and acute graft-versus-host disease

WANG Hongbo(), WANG Xiujuan, XU Jianli, YUAN Hailong, JIANG Ming△()   

  1. Blood Disease Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Hematology Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830000, China
  • Received:2025-12-20 Revised:2026-03-25 Published:2026-09-15 Online:2026-09-14
  • Contact: △E-mail:jiangmingyyy@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate changes of peripheral blood monocyte subsets and interleukin-37 (IL-37) levels following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and their association with the occurrence and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). Methods A total of 40 patients underwent allo-HSCT and 25 healthy individuals were enrolled. Patients were followed up to 100 days post-transplantation. Patients were categorized into the aGVHD group and the non-aGVHD group based on whether aGVHD occurred. Peripheral blood samples were collected at the first follow-up visit post-transplantation and at the onset of aGVHD. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportions of classical (cMo), intermediate (iMo) and non-classical (ncMo) peripheral blood monocytes. Plasma IL-37 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The differences of the above indicators were compared between the three groups. The sensitivity analysis, trend tests and correlation analyses were performed. Results There were significant differences in the proportions of cMo and iMo and IL-37 levels among the three groups (all P<0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in the proportion of ncMo (P>0.05). Post-hoc testing showed that lower cMo and IL-37, and higher iMo were found in the aGVHD group compared with those of the control group. IL-37 was lower in non-aGVHD vs controls (all Padj<0.05). Findings were consistent in sensitivity analysis (all P<0.05). Trend analysis indicated that decreasing cMo and IL-37 and increasing iMo were in the three groups (all P<0.05). In patients with hematological malignancies underwent allo-HSCT, IL-37 levels were positively correlated with cMo and negatively correlated with iMo (all P<0.05). In aGVHD group, IL-37 correlated negatively and iMo positively with grade (all P<0.05). Conclusion Following allo-HSCT, peripheral blood exhibits immune alterations characterized by increased iMo proportion and decreased IL-37 levels, which are associated with the occurrence and severity of aGVHD.

Key words: acute graft-versus-host disease, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, monocyte, interleukin-37

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