Platelet-derived TGF-β1 induces functional reprogramming of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in immune thrombocytopenia

• Platelet-derived TGF-β1 modulates myeloid-derived suppressor cell function and profiling via TGF-β/Smad pathway in immune thrombocytopenia

• Beyond an indicator of treatment response, platelet TGF-β paves the way for immune homeostasis in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Platelet α-granules are rich in TGF-β1 which is associated with myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) biology. Responders to thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) revealed a parallel increase in the number of both platelets and MDSCs. Here, anti-CD61 immune-sensitized splenocytes were transferred into severe combined immunodeficient mice to establish an active murine model of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Subsequently, we demonstrated that TPO-RAs augmented the inhibitory activities of MDSCs by arresting plasma cells differentiation, reducing Fas ligand expression on cytotoxic T cells, and re-balancing T cell subsets. Mechanistically, transcriptome analysis confirmed the participation of TGF-β/Smad pathways in TPO-RA-corrected-MDSCs, which was offset by Smad2/3 knockdown. In platelet TGF-β1-deficient mice, TPO-RA-induced amplification and enhanced suppressive capacity of MDSCs was waived. Furthermore, our retrospective data revealed that ITP patients achieving complete platelet response showed superior long-term outcomes compared with those who only reach partial response. In conclusion, we demonstrate that platelet TGF-β1 induces the expansion and functional reprogramming of MDSCs via the TGF-β/Smad pathway. These data indicate that platelet recovery not only serves as an endpoint of treatment response, but also paves the way for immune homeostasis in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.