Guards at the Gate: Physiological and Pathological Roles of Tissue-resident Innate Lymphoid Cells in the Lung

Overview

Journal Protein Cell

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialties Biochemistry
Cell Biology

Date 2017 Mar 9

PMID 28271447

Citations 15

Authors

Hang Cheng

Chengyan Jin

Jing Wu

Shan Zhu

Yong-Jun Liu

Jingtao Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The lung is an important open organ and the primary site of respiration. Many life-threatening diseases develop in the lung, e.g., pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs), pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. In the lung, innate immunity serves as the frontline in both anti-irritant response and anti-tumor defense and is also critical for mucosal homeostasis; thus, it plays an important role in containing these pulmonary diseases. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), characterized by their strict tissue residence and distinct function in the mucosa, are attracting increased attention in innate immunity. Upon sensing the danger signals from damaged epithelium, ILCs activate, proliferate, and release numerous cytokines with specific local functions; they also participate in mucosal immune-surveillance, immune-regulation, and homeostasis. However, when their functions become uncontrolled, ILCs can enhance pathological states and induce diseases. In this review, we discuss the physiological and pathological functions of ILC subsets 1 to 3 in the lung, and how the pathogenic environment affects the function and plasticity of ILCs.

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