Interferon and IL-27 antagonize the function of group 2 innate lymphoid cells and type 2 innate immune responses

K Moro, H Kabata, M Tanabe, S Koga, N Takeno… - Nature …, 2016 - nature.com
K Moro, H Kabata, M Tanabe, S Koga, N Takeno, M Mochizuki, K Fukunaga, K Asano…
Nature immunology, 2016nature.com
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2 cells) are type 2 cytokine–producing cells of the innate
immune system with important roles in helminth infection and allergic inflammation. Here we
found that tissue-resident ILC2 cells proliferated in situ without migrating during
inflammatory responses. Both type I and type II interferons and interleukin 27 (IL-27)
suppressed ILC2 function in a manner dependent on the transcription factor STAT1. ILC2-
mediated lung inflammation was enhanced in the absence of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) …
Abstract
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2 cells) are type 2 cytokine–producing cells of the innate immune system with important roles in helminth infection and allergic inflammation. Here we found that tissue-resident ILC2 cells proliferated in situ without migrating during inflammatory responses. Both type I and type II interferons and interleukin 27 (IL-27) suppressed ILC2 function in a manner dependent on the transcription factor STAT1. ILC2-mediated lung inflammation was enhanced in the absence of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) receptor on ILC2 cells in vivo. IFN-γ effectively suppressed the function of tissue-resident ILC2 cells but not that of inflammatory ILC2 cells, and IL-27 suppressed tissue-resident ILC2 cells but not tissue-resident TH2 cells during lung inflammation induced by Alternaria alternata. Our results demonstrate that suppression mediated by interferon and IL-27 is a negative feedback mechanism for ILC2 function in vivo.
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