Increased ILC2s in the eosinophilic nasal polyp endotype are associated with corticosteroid responsiveness

Abstract

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) have recently been identified in human nasal polyps, but whether numbers of ILC2s differ by polyp endotype or are influenced by corticosteroid use is unknown. Here, we show that eosinophilic nasal polyps contained double the number of ILC2s vs. non-eosinophilic polyps. Polyp ILC2s were also reduced by 50% in patients treated with systemic corticosteroids. Further, using a fungal allergen challenge mouse model, we detected greatly reduced Th2 cytokine-producing and Ki-67+ proliferating lung ILC2s in mice receiving dexamethasone. Finally, ILC2 Annexin V staining revealed extensive apoptosis after corticosteroid treatment in vivo and in vitro. Thus, ILC2s are elevated in the eosinophilic nasal polyp endotype and systemic corticosteroid treatment correlated with reduced polyp ILC2s. Finally, allergen-challenged mice showed reduced ILC2s and increased ILC2 apoptosis after corticosteroid treatment suggesting that ILC2 may be responsive to corticosteroids in eosinophilic respiratory disease.

Keywords: Alternaria; Chronic rhinosinusitis; Group 2 innate lymphoid cells; ILC2; Nasal polyps.