Downregulated CXCR2 expression on circulating neutrophils during sepsis or bacterial infection has been demonstrated previously and is correlated with impaired neutrophil chemotaxis into infectious sites.23,48 Previous study shows that lower expression of CXCR2 on neutrophils lead to reduced neutrophil influx to the peritoneal cavity of CLP mice, accompanied by increased bacteria load and higher inflammatory cytokines in peritoneal cavity and blood,2,49 which are in agreement with our observations in Alkbh5-deficient CLP mice when compared to WT CLP mice. The gene discussed is ALKBH5; the disease is bacterial infectious disease.