Group 2 innate lymphoid cells drive inhibitory synapse formation with lasting effects on learning and memory.

ABSTRACT: The immune system provides multiple layers of protection that extend beyond conventional pathogen defense, including context-dependent modulation of behavior. However, the mechanisms driving these immune-mediated behavioral modifications remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) shape hippocampal synaptic development during early postnatal stages, with lasting effects on adult behavior, learning, and memory.Using flow synaptometry, we identified a selective reduction in hippocampal VGAT⁺ GABAergic/glycinergic inhibitory synapse frequency at postnatal day 15 in ILC2-deficient mice, while the proportions of inhibitory GABAergic (NL2⁺) or excitatory glutamatergic (GluR1⁺) synapses remained unaltered. These

SUBMITTER: Steffen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12183876 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature