Phospholipid scramblase-1 regulates innate type 2 inflammation in mouse lungs via CRTH2-dependent mechanisms

Exaggerated Type 2 immune responses play critical roles in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including asthma, allergy, and pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of innate type 2 immune responses and innate lymphoid 2 cells (ILC2s) in these disorders. However, the mechanisms that control the development of pulmonary innate type 2 responses (IT2IR) and the recruitment and/or activation of ILC2 cells are poorly understood. In mouse models of pulmonary IT2IR, we demonstrated that phospholipid scramblase-1 (PLSCR1), a type II transmembrane protein that mediates bidirectional and nonspecific translocation of phospholipids between the inner and outer leaflets of the plasma membrane, was a critical regulator of IT2IR in the lung. We further suggested that (a) PLSCR1 bound to and physically interacted with chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule(CRTH2), which is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is expressed on TH2 cells and on multiple immune cells and is commonly used to identify ILC2 cells, and (b) the effects of PLSCR1 on ILC2 activation and IT2IR were mediated via CRTH2-dependent mechanisms. Overall, our studies demonstrated that PLSCR1 played an essential role in the pathogenesis of ILC2 responses, providing critical insights into biology and disease pathogenesis and identifying targets that can be manipulated in attempts to control IT2IR in chronic diseases such as asthma.

Automated summary

Exaggerated Type 2 immune responses are crucial in the development of diseases such as asthma, allergy, and pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of innate type 2 immune responses and innate lymphoid 2 cells (ILC2s) in these disorders. However, the mechanisms controlling the development of pulmonary innate type 2 responses (IT2IR) and the activation of ILC2 cells are unclear. In mouse models, the protein phospholipid scramblase-1 (PLSCR1) was found to play a critical role in regulating IT2IR in the lung. The effects of PLSCR1 on ILC2 activation and IT2IR are mediated through the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule (CRTH2). Understanding the role of PLSCR1 provides important insights into the pathogenesis of ILC2 responses and potential targets for controlling chronic diseases such as asthma.