Adaptation of innate lymphoid cells to a micronutrient deficiency promotes type 2 barrier immunity

SP Spencer, C Wilhelm, Q Yang, JA Hall, N Bouladoux… - Science, 2014 - science.org
SP Spencer, C Wilhelm, Q Yang, JA Hall, N Bouladoux, A Boyd, TB Nutman, JF Urban Jr…
Science, 2014science.org
How the immune system adapts to malnutrition to sustain immunity at barrier surfaces, such
as the intestine, remains unclear. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common
micronutrient deficiencies and is associated with profound defects in adaptive immunity.
Here, we found that type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are severely diminished in vitamin
A–deficient settings, which results in compromised immunity to acute bacterial infection.
However, vitamin A deprivation paradoxically resulted in dramatic expansion of interleukin …
How the immune system adapts to malnutrition to sustain immunity at barrier surfaces, such as the intestine, remains unclear. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies and is associated with profound defects in adaptive immunity. Here, we found that type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are severely diminished in vitamin A–deficient settings, which results in compromised immunity to acute bacterial infection. However, vitamin A deprivation paradoxically resulted in dramatic expansion of interleukin-13 (IL-13)–producing ILC2s and resistance to nematode infection in mice, which revealed that ILCs are primary sensors of dietary stress. Further, these data indicate that, during malnutrition, a switch to innate type 2 immunity may represent a powerful adaptation of the immune system to promote host survival in the face of ongoing barrier challenges.
AAAS