Pulmonary Innate Lymphoid Cells - Gatekeepers of Respiratory Health

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Background

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are a heterogeneous family of cells that include group 1 ILC (ILC1) characterized by their production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), ILC2 that predominantly express IL-5 and IL-13, and ILC3 that secrete IL-22 and/or IL-17. ILC2 and ILC3 are important in maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating lymphoid tissue development, tissue repair, and fat metabolism. Collectively, ILC protect the body against a multitude of organisms including intracellular pathogens, bacteria, parasitic worms, and fungi. Nevertheless, when dysregulated they can promote chronic inflammation such as that which occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) driven by ILC1 and ILC3 or allergy and asthma that are promoted by ILC2. ILCs have also recently been linked to postnatal lung maturation, immune responses to early-life bacterial infection, and repair of the lung following adult influenza virus infection. However, the spatiotemporal interactions between ILCs and stromal cells in the lung, during lung development and in respiratory diseases still requires further investigation.

In this collection, we aim to highlight recent advances in our understanding of the contribution of specific ILC subsets to inflammation and immune responses in the lung. We aim to describe their key roles in maintaining lung homeostasis, the implications of a loss or gain of function of ILCs in the development and progression of various respiratory diseases, and the current challenges we face in specifically targeting these cells for therapeutic intervention as it relates to respiratory conditions.

Manuscripts relating to the involvement of ILCs, namely group 2 and 3 ILCs in experimental mouse models or clinical studies that relate to the healthy or diseased lung will be considered. The submission of Original Research, Systematic Review, Review, Mini Review, Methods, and Perspective articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following subtopics will be encouraged:

1. ILCs in maintaining lung homeostasis or promoting repair and regeneration of the lung following an injury
2. ILCs in early-life or in postnatal lung development
3. ILCs in respiratory infections including their role in the host immune response to viral and bacterial infections
4. ILCs in chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis


Prof. Lukacs is the Co-Founder of Opsidio, LLC. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Keywords: Innate lymphoid cells, ILC1, ILC2, ILC3, Pulmonary, Lung, Respiratory, Disease

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