The top up-regulated genes in MDS included: the HSPA1A (heat shock 70 kDa protein), CEACAM6 (carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion), DEFA1/4 (defensin alpha 1 and 4), GFI1 (growth factor independent 1) and TCN1 (transcobalamin 1). This evidence concerns the gene DEFA1 and myelodysplastic syndrome.