Transcriptional control of ILC identity

Front Immunol. 2023 Mar 9:14:1146077. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1146077. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are heterogeneous innate immune cells which participate in host defense, mucosal repair and immunopathology by producing effector cytokines similarly to their adaptive immune cell counterparts. The development of ILC1, 2, and 3 subsets is controlled by core transcription factors: T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt, respectively. ILCs can undergo plasticity and transdifferentiate to other ILC subsets in response to invading pathogens and changes in local tissue environment. Accumulating evidence suggests that the plasticity and the maintenance of ILC identity is controlled by a balance between these and additional transcription factors such as STATs, Batf, Ikaros, Runx3, c-Maf, Bcl11b, and Zbtb46, activated in response to lineage-guiding cytokines. However, how interplay between these transcription factors leads to ILC plasticity and the maintenance of ILC identity remains hypothetical. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding transcriptional regulation of ILCs in homeostatic and inflammatory conditions.

Keywords: ILC identity; ILC plasticity; innate lymphoid cells; transcription factor; transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytokines
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Lymphocytes*
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

Research in the A.V.T. laboratory was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) AI135574, AI161400, AI173816, NS112263, DE029187 and from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) RP210105, RP220470.