Differentiation of human innate lymphoid cells (ILCs)

Curr Opin Immunol. 2016 Feb:38:75-85. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.11.005. Epub 2015 Dec 17.

Abstract

During the last years, a high complexity in innate lymphoid lineages now collectively referred to as innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has been revealed. ILCs can be grouped according to their effector functions and transcriptional requirements into three main groups, termed group 1, 2 and 3 ILCs. The differentiation of ILC lineages from hematopoietic precursors and the molecular switches guiding their developmental fate have started to be characterized both in mice and humans. In this review, we discuss the origin, differentiation stages and plasticity of human ILC subsets as well as the signals that drive ILC lineage commitment and acquisition of their unique effector programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interferons / genetics
  • Interferons / immunology
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Organ Specificity
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Interleukins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Interferons