Project description:We analyzed the total proteome of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) after different stimulation with interleukin-33 (IL-33), a cytokine playing a critical role in human asthma, and TL1A, a TNF-family cytokine also known to activate ILC2s. Upon combined stimulation with IL-33 plus TL1A, we show that lung ILC2s produce high amounts of IL-9 and acquire a transient ‘ILC9’ phenotype. This phenotype is characterized by simultaneous production of large amounts of type 2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-13 and IL-9), induction of the IL-2 receptor CD25 (Il2ra), and of the transcription factors IRF4, JunB and BATF, that form immune-specific complexes known to induce IL-9 expression.
Project description:Transcriptomal comparison between group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the murine small intestine (SI-ILC2s) and those in white adipose tissue (WAT-ILC2s).
Project description:Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the lung are stimulated by inhaled allergens. ILC2s do not directly recognize allergens but they are stimulated by cytokines including interleukin (IL)-33 released by damaged epithelium.Lung ILC2s, upon stimulation, produce T helper 2 cell-type cytokines inducing T cell independent allergic lung inflammation. We now report that lung ILC2s, upon activation by an allergen or IL-33, acquire the properties of memory cells. The activated ILC2s initially proliferate and secrete cytokines, followed by a contraction phase as they stop producing cytokines. Nevertheless, some persist long after the resolution of the inflammation and acquire intrinsic capacities to react to unrelated allergens more vigorously than naïve ILC2s, thus mediating a severe allergic lung inflammation. Gene expression profiles of the previously activated ILC2s show a gene signature of memory T cells. These antigen non-specific memory ILC2s may explain why asthma patients are often sensitized to multiple allergens. ILC2s were isolated from mouse lungs from naive and IL-33 injected mice 4 days, 14 days and 4 months after the initial treatment. RNA was extracted from those ILC2 populations and analyzed for gene expression profiles. RNA was also extracted from ILC2s isolated from lung draining mediastinal lymph node (mLN) 4 days and 14 days after IL-33 treatment.
Project description:Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) promote anti-helminth responses and contribute to allergies. Though Bcl11b has been previously considered a T-lineage identity transcription factor (TF) that restrains the innate-cell genetic programs, we report here that Bcl11b is highly expressed in mature ILC2s and acts upstream of the key ILC2 TFs Gfi1, Gata-3, and of IL-33 receptor IL1rl1 (T1ST2). Additionally, Bcl11b-/- ILC2s de-repressed Rorγt, Ahr and IL-23 receptor, normally expressed in type-3 ILCs (ILC3s). Consequently, Bcl11b-/- ILC2s lost ILC2 functions and gained ILC3 functions, expanding in response to the protease allergen papain, however producing IL-17 and IL-22, and not IL-5 and IL-13, causing lung neutrophilia rather than eosinophilia, and diminished mucus production. Our results broaden Bcl11b's role from a T-cell only TF, and establishes that Bcl11b sustains mature ILC2 genetic and functional programs and lineage fidelity through positive regulation of essential ILC2 TFs and negative regulation of pivotal ILC3 TFs. RNA-seq analysis on sorted ILC2s from the mLNs of Bcl11bF/F Cre-ERT2 and wildtype mice at steady state following tamoxifen mediated deletion of Bcl11b
Project description:Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in mouse lungs are activated by the epithelium-derived alarmin IL-33. Activated ILC2s proliferate and produce IL-5 and IL-13 that drive allergic responses. In neonatal lungs, IL-33 is spontaneously released resulting in activation of lung ILC2s. Here we report that neonatal lung ILC2 activation has significant effects on ILC2 functions in adulthood. Most neonatal lung ILC2s incorporated bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and persisted into adulthood. BrdU+ ILC2s in adult lungs responded more intensely to IL-33 treatment than BrdU- ILC2s. In IL-33 deficient (KO) mice, lung ILC2s develop normally but they are not activated in the neonatal period. Lung ILC2s in KO mice responded less intensely to IL-33 in adulthood compared to wild type (WT) ILC2s. While there was no difference in the number of lung ILC2s, there were fewer IL-13+ ILC2s in IL-33KO than IL-33WT mice. The impaired responsiveness of ILC2s in KO mice was reversed by intranasal injections of IL-33 in the neonatal period. These results suggest that activation of lung ILC2s by endogenous IL-33 in the neonatal period may “train” ILC2s seeding the lung after birth to become long-lasting resident cells that respond more efficiently to challenges later in life.
Project description:Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play critical roles during innate immune responses to pathogens and lymphoid organ development. IL-7Ra+ ILC subsets, similar to T helper (Th) cell subsets, produce distinctive effector cytokines. The molecular control of IL-7Ra+ ILC development and maintenance has yet to be dissected. Here we report that GATA3 is indispensable for the development of all IL-7Ra+ ILC subsets and T cells. Gata3 conditional deficient mice have no lymph nodes and are susceptible to Citrobactor rodentium infection. Genome-wide gene analyses indicate that GATA3 regulates similar set of cytokines and receptors in ILC2s and Th2 cells and is critical for the maintenance of ILC2s. Thus, GATA3 plays parallel roles in establishing and regulating both adaptive and innate lymphocytes. To identify GATA3 regulated genes in type 2 innate lymphoid cells by tamoxifen-mediated acute deletion of Gata3 gene.
Project description:Epidemiological studies have shown sex differences in prevalence of non-allergic asthma. Recent reports demonstrated negative effects of androgen signaling on group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), explaining a potential mechanism behind sex bias in asthma prevalence. To further understand the difference in ILC2s based on sex, we have investigated the effects of sex and age on the number and function of lung ILC2s, and epithelium derived cytokines. Naive male and female mice of any ages tested did not differ in the number of ILC2s in the lung. Upon IL-33 injection, lung ILC2s in post puberty female mice responded more vigorously than male counterpart. Purified female lung ILC2s more rapidly produced cytokines than male mouse ILC2s. Gene expression profiles of naïve male and female ILC2s differed in 4% of the genes, and gene set enrichment analysis showed that female ILC2s are enriched for gene signatures of memory T cells. Epithelium-derived cytokines including IL-33 were more highly expressed in post puberty naïve female mouse lungs than male mouse lungs. However, the differences in responsiveness of male and female ILC2s were not affected in IL-33-deficient mice. Therefore, female ILC2s are more readily activated than male ILC2s, likely due to their similarity to memory T cells as suggested by the gene expression profiles.
Project description:Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in mouse lungs are activated by the epithelium-derived alarmin IL-33. Activated ILC2s proliferate and produce IL-5 and IL-13 that drive allergic responses. In neonatal lungs, IL-33 is spontaneously released resulting in activation of lung ILC2s. Here we report that neonatal lung ILC2 activation has significant effects on ILC2 functions in adulthood. Most neonatal lung ILC2s incorporated bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and persisted into adulthood. BrdU+ ILC2s in adult lungs responded more intensely to IL-33 treatment than BrdU- ILC2s. In IL-33 deficient (KO) mice, lung ILC2s develop normally but they are not activated in the neonatal period. Lung ILC2s in KO mice responded less intensely to IL-33 in adulthood compared to wild type (WT) ILC2s. While there was no difference in the number of lung ILC2s, there were fewer IL-13+ ILC2s in IL-33KO than IL-33WT mice. The impaired responsiveness of ILC2s in KO mice was reversed by intranasal injections of IL-33 in the neonatal period. These results suggest that activation of lung ILC2s by endogenous IL-33 in the neonatal period may “train” ILC2s seeding the lung after birth to become long-lasting resident cells that respond more efficiently to challenges later in life.
Project description:Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are part of the innate immune cell family. Three different subsets of ILCs, ILC1s, ILC2s and ILCPs can be identified in human peripheral blood. Based on their expression of transcription factors and cytokines, they are considered as being the innate counterparts of CD4 T helper subsets, namely Th1s, Th2s and Th17s. However, ILCs and Th cells have different roles in immunity. Therefore, we compared the transcriptomes of sorted ILC1s, ILC2s, ILCPs, Th1s, Th2s and Th17s from the peripheral blood of three different donors. RNA sequencing of ILC and Th subsets revealed differences in the expression of tens to hundreds of genes. These genes are involved in cell trafficking, innate activation and inhibitory functions. ILC and Th cell subsets also differ in their expressions of long-non coding RNAs.