S-5 : Critical mucosal protection by the complex innate lymphoid cell network
Innate lymphoid cells are an expanding family of lymphocytes that are prominently represented at mucosal surfaces and have been significantly implicated in the protection of epithelial barriers. In infection, ILCs contribute particularly to the early detection of pathogens and shape the subsequent adaptive immune response. Understanding the development of this innate population is necessary to provide insight to their functions during disease. We have investigated the network of transcription factors and found that Tbx21, Tcf7 and Nfil3 are all essential for the differentiation of ILC1, 2 and 3. While Tcf7 and Nfil3 were necessary for the generation of all ILC subsets, Tbx21 was crucial for the terminal differentiation and maturation of NCR + ILC3. These findings revealed key roles for specific transcription factors in individual cell types necessary for mucosal protection.