Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Bone marrow stem cells work together to produce the body’s red and white blood cells. In a condition called Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP), a mutant stem cell dominates blood production, generating large numbers of mutant cells. CHIP is common among older adults and one study estimated that 10% of people over 65 have CHIP. Previous studies found that CHIP increases the risk of developing leukemia or heart disease, but the mechanism through which CHIP causes these diseases is poorly understood. Studies suggest that CHIP causes macrophages, a type of white blood cell, to become highly inflammatory and this inflammation drives heart disease. However, studies have not considered the involvement of other white blood cells such as neutrophils. Neutrophils may be more important because they outnumber macrophages 6 to 1. A recent RNA-sequencing study found that CHIP may alter neutrophil function and these mutant cells may contribute to disease. This study investigates differences in the expression of neutrophil genes between individuals with and without CHIP. Blood samples were collected from healthy adults over 65 and 20 samples (15 CHIP and 5 non-CHIP) are analyzed. Differences in the amount of neutrophil gene RNA between CHIP and non-CHIP samples is compared using Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. The amount of neutrophil protein in CHIP and non-CHIP samples is quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays. Our study is the first to investigate the effects of CHIP on neutrophils. While current research has focused on macrophages, this study sheds light on the role of neutrophils in the disease process. The research contributes to a clearer understanding of how CHIP causes heart disease and leukemia.