Spatial and functional diversity of innate lymphoid cells in the human female genital tract may contribute to antiviral responses to HIV.

ABSTRACT: Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are tissue-resident lymphocytes specialized in cytokine secretion that lack antigen-specific receptors. The contribution of ILCs to antiviral mucosal immunity in humans, particularly in the female genital tract (FGT), remains unexplored. Here we resolved human FGT ILC diversity by spectral flow cytometry and CITE-seq, spatial location within genital anatomical regions using ChipCytometry, and determined homeostatic function and antiviral responses. We uncovered spatial and functional specializations of genital ILC subsets under homeostasis, with compartmentalized age-related and pregnancy-related changes. CD161 expression differentially discriminated ILC subsets preloaded with cytokines at steady state. We identified a unique NKp44⁺CCR6⁺ I

SUBMITTER: Werner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12571888 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature