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Therapeutic manipulation of innate lymphoid cells
Laura M. Cobb, Michael R. Verneris
Laura M. Cobb, Michael R. Verneris
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Review

Therapeutic manipulation of innate lymphoid cells

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Abstract

Since their relatively recent discovery, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been shown to be tissue-resident lymphocytes that are critical mediators of tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and pathogen response. However, ILC dysregulation contributes to a diverse spectrum of human diseases, spanning virtually every organ system. ILCs rapidly respond to environmental cues by altering their own phenotype and function as well as influencing the behavior of other local tissue-resident cells. With a growing understanding of ILC biology, investigators continue to elucidate mechanisms that expand our ability to phenotype, isolate, target, and expand ILCs ex vivo. With mounting preclinical data and clinical correlates, the role of ILCs in both disease pathogenesis and resolution is evident, justifying ILC manipulation for clinical benefit. This Review will highlight areas of ongoing translational research and critical questions for future study that will enable us to harness the full therapeutic potential of these captivating cells.

Authors

Laura M. Cobb, Michael R. Verneris

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Figure 3

Targeting ILCs in Crohn’s disease.

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Targeting ILCs in Crohn’s disease.
(A) In Crohn’s disease (CD), ILC1s ac...
(A) In Crohn’s disease (CD), ILC1s accumulate in the intestine, while NCR– ILC3s are reduced. Myeloid cells, including DCs, produce IL-12, stimulating ILC1s to produce IFN-γ and TNF-α. IL-12 also induces transdifferentiation of NCR– and NCR+ ILC3s into ILC1s. IL-23 promotes differentiation of ILC1s into IL-22–producing NCR+ ILC3s. Regulatory ILCs (ILCregs) downregulate ILC1s and ILC3s via IL-10 secretion to suppress production of cytokines other than IL-22. ILCregs also produce TGF-β, which promotes their own expansion and survival. Thalidomide and lenalidomide modulate ILC transdifferentiation by selectively degrading Aiolos (ILC1 specific) and Ikaros (ILC nonspecific), increasing ILC3-associated Helios. Sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) antagonists downregulate ILC3 NCR expression. TNF-α inhibitors directly block TNF-α produced by ILC1s. Ustekinumab and JAK inhibitors target IL-12 and IL-23, while IL-23–specific mAbs target IL-23 and an anti–IL-22 Fc mAb targets IL-22. An anti-NKG2D mAb might modulate ILC1s and NCR+ ILC3s, which express NKG2D in mice. (B) In healthy intestine, ILC3s reside largely within lymphoid aggregate cryptopatches (CPs). Early in inflammation (left), IL-23 secretion by myeloid cells is GM-CSF dependent, and GM-CSF production by ILC3s is sustained by IL-23. Later in inflammation (right), GM-CSF recruits additional myeloid cells and mobilizes ILC3s from CPs into adjacent intestinal mucosa. In response to IL-23, ILC3s produce IL-17 and IFN-γ, promoting intestinal inflammation. IL-23 can be blocked by anti–IL-23 mAbs, ustekinumab, and JAK inhibitors. α4β7 Integrin blockade with vedolizumab might inhibit ILC migration from CPs into intestinal mucosa. A FimH antagonist reduces bacterial adherence to the gut, decreasing innate immune activation and improving intestinal permeability. S1PR1 antagonists prevent ILC1/3 maturation and migration and modify ILC functions. Illustrated by Rachel Davidowitz.

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ISSN 2379-3708

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