AUTHOR=Zaini Aidil , Fulford Thomas S. , Grumont Raelene J. , Runting Jessica , Rodrigues Grace , Ng Judy , Gerondakis Steve , Zaph Colby , Scheer Sebastian 

TITLE=c-Rel Is Required for IL-33-Dependent Activation of ILC2s

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.667922

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2021.667922

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are emerging as important cellular regulators of homeostatic and disease-associated immune processes. The cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) promotes ILC2-dependent inflammation and immunity, with IL-33 having been shown to activate NF-κB in a wide variety of cell types. However, it is currently unclear which NF-κB members play an important role in IL-33-dependent ILC2 biology. Here, we identify the NF-κB family member c-Rel as a critical component of the IL-33-dependent activation of ILC2s. Although c-Rel is dispensable for ILC2 development, it is critical for ILC2 function in the lung, with c-Rel-deficient (<italic>c-Rel<sup>–/–</sup></italic>) mice present a significantly reduced response to papain- and IL-33-induced lung inflammation. We also show that the absence of c-Rel reduces the IL-33-dependent expansion of ILC2 precursors and lower levels of IL-5 and IL-13 cytokine production by mature ILC2s in the lung. Together, these results identify the IL-33-c-Rel axis as a central control point of ILC2 activation and function.</p>