Systemic skewing of peripheral blood leukocyte composition in neurofibromatosis type 1.

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to characterize neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated alterations in peripheral white blood cell differentials, focusing on overall patterns and sex-related differences.

METHODS

We analyzed 225 Japanese patients with NF1 (78 males, 147 females) and 87 controls without NF1 (50 males, 37 females). Within each sex, NF1 and control groups were age-matched. Z-scores were calculated to normalize for sex-specific variation.

RESULTS

In patients with NF1, Z-scores for the percentages of neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils were increased, whereas those for lymphocytes and eosinophils were decreased. These trends were consistent across both sexes, indicating robust disease-associated alterations. Additional sex-related differences were observed: males showed greater neutrophil increases and more pronounced lymphocyte reductions, whereas females exhibited greater monocyte increases and more marked eosinophil reductions.

CONCLUSION

NF1 is associated with systemic skewing of peripheral immune cell composition, characterized by expansion of the non-type 2/innate component, relative uncoupling of the type 2-associated component, and reduction of the lymphoid component. These findings provide a conceptual basis for understanding NF1 pathobiology, disease heterogeneity, and sex-related differences, including tumor-associated immune environments.