ICOS:ICOS-ligand interaction is required for type 2 innate lymphoid cell function, homeostasis, and induction of airway hyperreactivity

Immunity. 2015 Mar 17;42(3):538-51. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Mar 10.

Abstract

Allergic asthma is caused by Th2-cell-type cytokines in response to allergen exposure. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a newly identified subset of immune cells that, along with Th2 cells, contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma by producing copious amounts of IL-5 and IL-13, which cause eosinophilia and airway hyperreactivity (AHR), a cardinal feature of asthma. ILC2s express ICOS, a T cell costimulatory molecule with a currently unknown function. Here we showed that a lack of ICOS on murine ILC2s and blocking the ICOS:ICOS-ligand interaction in human ILC2s reduced AHR and lung inflammation. ILC2s expressed both ICOS and ICOS-ligand, and the ICOS:ICOS-ligand interaction promoted cytokine production and survival in ILC2s through STAT5 signaling. Thus, ICOS:ICOS-ligand signaling pathway is critically involved in ILC2 function and homeostasis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand / genetics
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand / immunology*
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein / genetics
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein / immunology*
  • Interleukin-13 / genetics
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukin-5 / genetics
  • Interleukin-5 / immunology
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Respiratory System / immunology
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / immunology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • ICOS protein, human
  • ICOSLG protein, human
  • Icos protein, mouse
  • Icosl protein, mouse
  • Il33 protein, mouse
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukin-5
  • Interleukins
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor