Characterization and Quantification of Innate Lymphoid Cell Subsets in Human Lung

Background Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are a new family of innate immune cells that have emerged as important regulators of tissue homeostasis and inflammation. However, limited data are available concerning the relative abundance and characteristics of ILC in the human lung. Methods The aim of this study was to characterize and enumerate the different ILC subsets in human lung by multi-color flow cytometry. Results Within the CD45(+) Lin(-) CD127(+) pulmonary ILC population, we identified group 1 (ILC1), group 2 (ILC2) and group 3 (ILC3) innate lymphoid cells using specific surface markers (i.e. IL12R beta 2, CRTH2 and CD117 respectively) and key transcription factors (i.e. T-bet, GATA-3 and ROR gamma T respectively). Based on the presence of NKp44, ILC3 were further subdivided in natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR)(+) and NCR- ILC3. In addition, we demonstrated the production of signature cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-5, IL-17A, IL-22 and GM-CSF in the pulmonary ILC population. Interestingly, we observed a tendency to a higher frequency of NCR- ILC3 in lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with controls. Conclusions We show that the three main ILC subsets are present in human lung. Importantly, the relative abundance of ILC subsets tended to change in COPD patients in comparison to control individuals.