Microbiota-Induced TNF-like Ligand 1A Drives Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell-Mediated Barrier Protection and Intestinal T Cell Activation during Colitis

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from a dysregulated interaction between the microbiota and a genetically susceptible host. Genetic studies have linked TNFSF15 polymorphisms and its protein TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A) with IBD, but the functional role of TL1A is not known. Here, we found that adherent IBD-associated microbiota induced TL1A release from CX3CR1⁺ mononuclear phagocytes (MNPs). Using cell-specific genetic deletion models, we identified an essential role for CX3CR1⁺MNP-derived TL1A in driving group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC3) production of interleukin-22 and mucosal healing during acute colitis. In contrast to this protective role in acute colitis, TL1A-dependent expression of co-stimulatory molecule OX40L in MHCII⁺ ILC3s during colitis led to co-stimulation of antigen-specific T cells that was required for chronic T cell colitis. These results identify a role for ILC3s in activating intestinal T cells and reveal a central role for TL1A in promoting ILC3 barrier immunity during colitis.

Keywords: CX(3)CR1(+) mononuclear phagocytes; Crohn’s disease; Inflammatory bowel disease; TL1A; innate lymphoid cell.