New insights into the function, development, and plasticity of type 2 innate lymphoid cells

SummaryGroup 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are the most well defined group of ILCs. ILC2 development is controlled by the GATA ‐3 transcription factor and these cells produce archetypal type 2 cytokines, such as IL‐5 and IL‐13. These cytokines mediate parasite expulsion and tissue repair, but also contribute to type 2 inflammatory diseases, including allergy, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In res ponse to tightly regulated local environmental cues ILCs can generate characteristics of other subtypes, a process known as plasticity. Recent advances in the ILC2 field has led to the discovery that ILC2s can promptly shift to functional IFN‐γ‐producing ILC1s or IL‐17‐producing ILC3s, depe nding on the cytokines and chemokines produced by antigen presenting cells or epithelial cells. Due to yet unknown triggers, this complex network of signals may become dysregulated. In this review, we will discuss general ILC characteristic, ILC2 development, plasticity, memory function, and implica tions in disease.
Source: Immunological Reviews - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: INVITED REVIEW Source Type: research