Neutrophil progenitor mobilization is a distinct feature of STEMI and predicts survival

Inflammatory cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Neutrophils, key drivers during inflammation, have consistently been associated with adverse outcomes and mortality in cardiovascular pathologies. Given the uniquely high plasticity and turnover of neutrophils, we profiled the appearance of distinct neutrophil maturation stages as sensitive and specific biomarkers in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), heart failure and stroke. Our data reveal a neutrophilia driven by mobilization of immature neutrophils in all groups; however, STEMI patients exhibited selective appearance of CD16 ^neg CD10 ^neg preNeus, the final mitotic neutrophil progenitor. PreNeus predicted 30-day mortality better than established biomarkers and were identifiable as immature granulocytes in blood counter analysis, hence enabling identification of high-risk STEMI patients upon hospital admission to guide tailored intervention.