Table 1 Main characteristics of ILC subsets
ILC subsets | Surface markers | Transcription factors | Effector mediators | Immune function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NK | NCR, NK1.1, KLRG1, CD122, NKG2D | T-bet, Eomes, NFIL3 | Perforin, granzyme B | Fight with intracellular pathogens like virus; anti-tumor immunity |
ILC1 | NCR, NK1.1, TRAIL, CD200R, CD122, CD160, CD103, CD39 | T-bet, Eomes, NFIL3 | IFN-γ | Defense against intracellular pathogens, such as virus and protozoan |
ILC2 | CD127, ST2, ICOS, CRTH2, MHC-II, Sca-1 | Gata3 | IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13 | Expel extracellular parasites and involve in allergic airway inflammation |
ILC3 | NCR, RANKL, IL-23R, CD49d, MHC-II | RORγt, T-bet | IL-17, IL-22, GM-CSF | Combat extracellular microbes, such as bacteria and fungi |
LTi | CD127, CD117, CCR6, RANKL, IL-23R, MHC-II | RORγt | IL-17, IL-22, TNF, lymphotoxin | Formation of secondary lymphoid structures |