Epigenomic and functional dynamics of human bone marrow myeloid differentiation to mature blood neutrophils

Summary Neutrophils are short-lived blood cells that play a critical role in host defense against infections. To better comprehend neutrophil functions and their regulation, we provide a complete epigenetic and functional overview of their differentiation stages from bone marrow-residing progenitors to mature circulating cells. Integration of epigenetic and transcriptome dynamics reveals an enforced regulation of differentiation, through cellular functions such as: release of proteases, respiratory burst, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. We observe an early establishment of the cytotoxic capability, whilst the signaling components that activate antimicrobial mechanisms are transcribed at later stages, outside the bone marrow, thus preventing toxic effects in the bone marrow niche. Altogether, these data reveal how the developmental dynamics of the epigenetic landscape orchestrate the daily production of large number of neutrophils required for innate host defense and provide a comprehensive overview of the epigenomes of differentiating human neutrophils. Key points Dynamic acetylation enforces human neutrophil progenitor differentiation. Neutrophils cytotoxic capability is established early at the (pro)myelocyte stage. Coordinated signaling component expression prevents unwanted toxic effects to the bone marrow niche.