scholarly journals The ChAT-acetylcholine pathway promotes group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses and anti-helminth immunity

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (57) ◽  
pp. eabe3218
Author(s):  
Coco Chu ◽  
Christopher N. Parkhurst ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Lei Zhou ◽  
Hiroshi Yano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Helminth Infection ◽  
Allergic Inflammation ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Interleukin 5 ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Group 2

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) reside in multiple tissues, including lymphoid organs and barrier surfaces, and secrete type 2 cytokines including interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-9, and IL-13. These cells participate in multiple physiological processes including allergic inflammation, tissue repair, metabolic homeostasis, and host defense against helminth infections. Recent studies indicate that neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can play an important role in regulating ILC2 responses; however, the mechanisms that underlie these processes in vivo remain incompletely defined. Here, we identify that activated ILC2s up-regulate choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)—the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine (ACh)—after infection with the helminth parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or treatment with alarmins or cytokines including IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). ILC2s also express acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), and ACh administration promotes ILC2 cytokine production and elicits expulsion of helminth infection. In accordance with this, ChAT deficiency in ILC2s leads to defective ILC2 responses and impaired immunity against helminth infection. Together, these results reveal a previously unrecognized role of the ChAT-ACh pathway in promoting type 2 innate immunity to helminth infection.

scholarly journals Acetylcholine production by group 2 innate lymphoid cells promotes mucosal immunity to helminths

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (57) ◽  
pp. eabd0359
Author(s):  
Luke B. Roberts ◽  
Corinna Schnoeller ◽  
Rita Berkachy ◽  
Matthew Darby ◽  
Jamie Pillaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Interleukin 33 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Maximal Induction

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are critical mediators of immunological and physiological responses at mucosal barrier sites. Whereas neurotransmitters can stimulate ILCs, the synthesis of small-molecule neurotransmitters by these cells has only recently been appreciated. Group 2 ILCs (ILC2s) are shown here to synthesize and release acetylcholine (ACh) during parasitic nematode infection. The cholinergic phenotype of pulmonary ILC2s was associated with their activation state, could be induced by in vivo exposure to extracts of Alternaria alternata or the alarmin cytokines interleukin-33 (IL-33) and IL-25, and was augmented by IL-2 in vitro. Genetic disruption of ACh synthesis by murine ILC2s resulted in increased parasite burdens, lower numbers of ILC2s, and reduced lung and gut barrier responses to Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. These data demonstrate a functional role for ILC2-derived ACh in the expansion of ILC2s for maximal induction of type 2 immunity.

scholarly journals Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells Exhibit Tissue-Specific Dynamic Behaviour During Type 2 Immune Responses

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence S. C. Lok ◽  
Jennifer A. Walker ◽  
Helen E. Jolin ◽  
Seth T. Scanlon ◽  
Masaru Ishii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Dynamic Behaviour ◽  
Helminth Infection ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Group 2

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are early effectors of mucosal type 2 immunity, producing cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-13 to mediate responses to helminth infection and allergen-induced inflammation. ILC2s are also present in lymph nodes (LNs) and can express molecules required for antigen presentation, but to date there are limited data on their dynamic behaviour. We used a CD2/IL-13 dual fluorescent reporter mouse for in vivo imaging of ILC2s and Th2 T cells in real time following a type 2 priming helminth infection or egg injection. After helminth challenge, we found that ILC2s were the main source of IL-13 in lymphoid organs (Peyer’s patches and peripheral LNs), and were located in T cell areas. Intravital imaging demonstrated an increase in IL-13+ ILC2 size and movement following helminth infection, but reduced duration of interactions with T cells compared with those in homeostasis. In contrast, in the intestinal mucosa, we observed an increase in ILC2-T cell interactions post-infection, including some of prolonged duration, as well as increased IL-13+ ILC2 movement. These data suggest that ILC2 activation enhances cell motility, with the potential to increase the area of distribution of cytokines to optimise the early generation of type 2 responses. The prolonged ILC2 interactions with T cells within the intestinal mucosa are consistent with the conclusion that contact-based T cell activation may occur within inflamed tissues rather than lymphoid organs. Our findings have important implications for our understanding of the in vivo biology of ILC2s and the way in which these cells facilitate adaptive immune responses.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal regulation of cytokine expression in Type 2 immune responses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ryan Kyle
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Helminth Infection ◽  
Allergic Inflammation ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Reporter Mice

<p>Type 2 immune responses are generated to provide protection against parasitic helminth infections, however these responses also cause the pathologies associated with allergic inflammation. Studies of the cell types and signalling pathways that mediate Type 2 immune responses have been previously undertaken with the goals of efficient development of vaccines against helminths, and identification of pathways that can be inhibited to decrease the damage caused by allergic inflammation.  The cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) mediate many of the downstream effector functions of the Type 2 immune response. To study the mechanisms that control expression of these two cytokines I have used a novel dual cytokine IL-4 and IL-13 transgenic reporter mouse. Utilising this tool along with other IL-4 reporter mice I have discovered that the amount of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling modulates the allelic expression of IL-4 by CD4⁺ T cells. The transgenic IL-4 reporter mouse has for the first time allowed independent measurement of the effects of IL-4 deficiency on the expression of IL-4 in vivo. Using this system I have found that IL- 4 is not required for the in vivo generation or expansion of IL-4 producing CD4⁺ T cells. Th2 differentiated CD4⁺ T cells also expresses IL-13, however the dual reporter mice have demonstrated that IL-13 is expressed consistently later than IL-4 in vitro, and IL-13 requires constant, or multiple exposures to TCR stimulus for expression to be induced. IL-13 expression is absent from lymph node CD4⁺ T cells during exposure to allergens or helminth infection. Sequestration of CD4⁺ T cells in the lymph node does not impact the number of IL-13 expressing CD4⁺ T cells in the lung during a helminth infection, indicating that adaptive immune cell derived IL-13 may be entirely produced by lung resident cells not requiring transit through the lymph node.  I have characterised a population of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) within the skin and found that the proportion of these cells that constitutively express IL-13 decreases with age. These cells did not drastically change in numbers or IL-13 responses in a range of inflammatory conditions including a model of atopic dermatitis. Basophils were found to respond to the atopic dermatitis model by migrating specifically to the treated skin site and draining lymph node, and producing IL-4 in a thymic stromal lymphopoietin dependant manner.  Treatment with exogenous cytokines induced IL-13 expression from group 2 ILCs (ILC2s) in the lung and these cells promoted protective immune responses against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. The immune response generated during a primary infection by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis provides protection from re-infection. Long-term protection is dependent on CD4⁺ T cells but when sufficiently stimulated by cytokine, ILC2s can rescue the protection lost by the depletion of CD4⁺ T cells.  This thesis has shown that CD4⁺ T cells and populations of innate immune cells differentially regulate the expression of the closely related Type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL- 13. These discoveries will help direct future research aiming to boost the effectiveness of anti-helminth vaccines, or decrease the pathology caused by allergic diseases by targeting specific cytokine expression.</p>

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal regulation of cytokine expression in Type 2 immune responses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ryan Kyle
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Helminth Infection ◽  
Allergic Inflammation ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Reporter Mice

<p>Type 2 immune responses are generated to provide protection against parasitic helminth infections, however these responses also cause the pathologies associated with allergic inflammation. Studies of the cell types and signalling pathways that mediate Type 2 immune responses have been previously undertaken with the goals of efficient development of vaccines against helminths, and identification of pathways that can be inhibited to decrease the damage caused by allergic inflammation.  The cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) mediate many of the downstream effector functions of the Type 2 immune response. To study the mechanisms that control expression of these two cytokines I have used a novel dual cytokine IL-4 and IL-13 transgenic reporter mouse. Utilising this tool along with other IL-4 reporter mice I have discovered that the amount of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling modulates the allelic expression of IL-4 by CD4⁺ T cells. The transgenic IL-4 reporter mouse has for the first time allowed independent measurement of the effects of IL-4 deficiency on the expression of IL-4 in vivo. Using this system I have found that IL- 4 is not required for the in vivo generation or expansion of IL-4 producing CD4⁺ T cells. Th2 differentiated CD4⁺ T cells also expresses IL-13, however the dual reporter mice have demonstrated that IL-13 is expressed consistently later than IL-4 in vitro, and IL-13 requires constant, or multiple exposures to TCR stimulus for expression to be induced. IL-13 expression is absent from lymph node CD4⁺ T cells during exposure to allergens or helminth infection. Sequestration of CD4⁺ T cells in the lymph node does not impact the number of IL-13 expressing CD4⁺ T cells in the lung during a helminth infection, indicating that adaptive immune cell derived IL-13 may be entirely produced by lung resident cells not requiring transit through the lymph node.  I have characterised a population of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) within the skin and found that the proportion of these cells that constitutively express IL-13 decreases with age. These cells did not drastically change in numbers or IL-13 responses in a range of inflammatory conditions including a model of atopic dermatitis. Basophils were found to respond to the atopic dermatitis model by migrating specifically to the treated skin site and draining lymph node, and producing IL-4 in a thymic stromal lymphopoietin dependant manner.  Treatment with exogenous cytokines induced IL-13 expression from group 2 ILCs (ILC2s) in the lung and these cells promoted protective immune responses against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. The immune response generated during a primary infection by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis provides protection from re-infection. Long-term protection is dependent on CD4⁺ T cells but when sufficiently stimulated by cytokine, ILC2s can rescue the protection lost by the depletion of CD4⁺ T cells.  This thesis has shown that CD4⁺ T cells and populations of innate immune cells differentially regulate the expression of the closely related Type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL- 13. These discoveries will help direct future research aiming to boost the effectiveness of anti-helminth vaccines, or decrease the pathology caused by allergic diseases by targeting specific cytokine expression.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of BMP7 produced by group 2 innate lymphoid cells on adipogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 407-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yurina Miyajima ◽  
Kafi N Ealey ◽  
Yasutaka Motomura ◽  
Miho Mochizuki ◽  
Natsuki Takeno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Allergic Inflammation ◽  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Brown Adipocytes ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Group 2

Abstract Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are type 2 cytokine-producing cells that have important roles in helminth infection and allergic inflammation. ILC2s are tissue-resident cells, and their phenotypes and roles are regulated by tissue-specific environmental factors. While the role of ILC2s in the lung, intestine and bone marrow has been elucidated in many studies, their role in adipose tissues is still unclear. Here, we report on the role of ILC2-derived bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) in adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. Co-culture of fat-derived ILC2s with pluripotent mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells and committed white preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells resulted in their differentiation to adipocytes and induced lipid accumulation. Co-culture experiments using BMP7-deficient ILC2s revealed that BMP7, produced by ILC2s, induces differentiation into brown adipocytes. Our results demonstrate that BMP7, produced by ILC2s, affects adipocyte differentiation, particularly in brown adipocytes.

scholarly journals Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells: Central Players in a Recurring Theme of Repair and Regeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Messing ◽  
Sia Cecilia Jan-Abu ◽  
Kelly McNagny
Keyword(s):  
T Regulatory Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Neonatal Immunity ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Transcription Factor Expression

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are recently discovered innate counterparts to the well-established T helper cell subsets and are most abundant at barrier surfaces, where they participate in tissue homeostasis and inflammatory responses against invading pathogens. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) share cytokine and transcription factor expression profiles with type-2 helper T cells and are primarily associated with immune responses against allergens and helminth infections. Emerging data, however, suggests that ILC2s are also key regulators in other inflammatory settings; both in a beneficial context, such as the establishment of neonatal immunity, tissue repair, and homeostasis, and in the context of pathological tissue damage and disease, such as fibrosis development. This review focuses on the interactions of ILC2s with stromal cells, eosinophils, macrophages, and T regulatory cells that are common to the different settings in which type-2 immunity has been explored. We further discuss how an understanding of these interactions can reveal new avenues of therapeutic tissue regeneration, where the role of ILC2s is yet to be fully established.

scholarly journals Macrophage Activation and Functions during Helminth Infection: Recent Advances from the Laboratory Mouse

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Rolot ◽  
Benjamin G. Dewals
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Helminth Infection ◽  
Laboratory Mouse ◽  
Alternative Activation ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Classically Activated Macrophages

Macrophages are highly plastic innate immune cells that adopt an important diversity of phenotypes in response to environmental cues. Helminth infections induce strong type 2 cell-mediated immune responses, characterized among other things by production of high levels of interleukin- (IL-) 4 and IL-13. Alternative activation of macrophages by IL-4 in vitro was described as an opposite phenotype of classically activated macrophages, but the in vivo reality is much more complex. Their exact activation state as well as the role of these cells and associated molecules in type 2 immune responses remains to be fully understood. We can take advantage of a variety of helminth models available, each of which have their own feature including life cycle, site of infection, or pathological mechanisms influencing macrophage biology. Here, we reviewed the recent advances from the laboratory mouse about macrophage origin, polarization, activation, and effector functions during parasitic helminth infection.

scholarly journals IL-27 suppresses type 2 immune responses in vivo via direct effects on group 2 innate lymphoid cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1384-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Mchedlidze ◽  
M Kindermann ◽  
A T Neves ◽  
D Voehringer ◽  
M F Neurath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Group 2

scholarly journals A CCL1/CCR8-dependent feed-forward mechanism drives ILC2 functions in type 2–mediated inflammation

2019 ◽  
Vol 216 (12) ◽  
pp. 2763-2777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Knipfer ◽  
Anja Schulz-Kuhnt ◽  
Markus Kindermann ◽  
Vicky Greif ◽  
Cornelia Symowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemokine Receptor ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Anatomical Compartment ◽  
Group 2

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) possess indispensable roles during type 2–mediated inflammatory diseases. Although their physiological and detrimental immune functions seem to depend on the anatomical compartment they reside, their tissue tropism and the molecular and immunological processes regulating the self-renewal of the local pool of ILC2s in the context of inflammation or infection are incompletely understood. Here, we analyzed the role of the CC-chemokine receptor CCR8 for the biological functions of ILC2s. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that CCR8 is in comparison to the related molecule CCR4 less important for migration of these cells. However, we found that activated mouse and human ILC2s produce the CCR8 ligand CCL1 and are a major source of CCL1 in vivo. CCL1 signaling to ILC2s regulates their proliferation and supports their capacity to protect against helminthic infections. In summary, we identify a novel chemokine receptor–dependent mechanism by which ILC2s are regulated during type 2 responses.

scholarly journals Bcl11b is essential for group 2 innate lymphoid cell development

2015 ◽  
Vol 212 (6) ◽  
pp. 875-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Walker ◽  
Christopher J. Oliphant ◽  
Alexandros Englezakis ◽  
Yong Yu ◽  
Simon Clare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Reporter Mice ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Gfp Reporter ◽  
Worm Expulsion ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Cell Commitment

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are often found associated with mucosal surfaces where they contribute to protective immunity, inappropriate allergic responses, and tissue repair. Although we know they develop from a common lymphoid progenitor in the bone marrow (BM), the specific lineage path and transcriptional regulators that are involved are only starting to emerge. After ILC2 gene expression analysis we investigated the role of Bcl11b, a factor previously linked to T cell commitment, in ILC2 development. Using combined Bcl11b-tom and Id2-gfp reporter mice, we show that Bcl11b is expressed in ILC2 precursors in the BM and maintained in mature ILC2s. In vivo deletion of Bcl11b, by conditional tamoxifen-induced depletion or by Bcl11b−/− fetal liver chimera reconstitution, demonstrates that ILC2s are wholly dependent on Bcl11b for their development. Notably, in the absence of Bcl11b there is a concomitant expansion of the RORγt+ ILC3 population, suggesting that Bcl11b may negatively regulate this lineage. Using Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection, we reveal that the absence of Bcl11b leads to impaired worm expulsion, caused by a deficit in ILC2s, whereas Citrobacter rodentium infection is cleared efficiently. These data clearly establish Bcl11b as a new factor in the differentiation of ILC2s.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document