IL-9 and Blimp-1 protects the transcriptional identity of group 2 innate lymphocytes in allergic asthma
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ABSTRACT: Allergic asthma is driven by type 2 immune responses, including those mediated by type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Although ILC2s are activated by the tissue alarmins IL-33 and IL-25, these signals do not intrinsically enforce type 2 identity, and the mechanisms that maintain type 2 cytokine expression remain unclear. Here we show that allergen-induced IL-33 and IL-25 rapidly induce IL-9, which in turn upregulates the transcriptional repressor Blimp-1 in ILC2s. Blimp-1 sustains type 2 immunity by directly repressing type 1 inflammatory programs, including expression of IFNg and TNF. Deletion of Blimp-1 in ILC2s increased type 1 cytokine production and reduced IL-5 and IL-13 expression, eosinophil recruitment, and mucus production in the lung. In contrast, IL-9 expression was enhanced in the absence of Blimp-1, leading to increased mast cell recruitment. Together, these findings identify Blimp-1 as a key regulator of ILC2 transcriptional fidelity that stabilizes type 2 inflammation while constraining divergent inflammatory programs during allergic responses.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE316969 | GEO | 2026/04/16
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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