CD40LG and myelodysplastic syndrome: When comparing cytokine signature between hMDS and low-risk MDS based on the literature, five cytokines are commonly increased in the plasma of patients: TNF-α; IFN-γ; TGF-β; IL-17; CXCL5; CCL5; CCL11; CD40L; VEGF; and IL-6 (Figure 3B).