The interplay between innate lymphoid cells and microbiota

Abstract

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are mainly resident in mucosal tissues such as gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract, so they are closely linked to the microbiota. ILCs can protect commensals to maintain homeostasis and increase resistance to pathogens. Moreover, ILCs also play an early role in defense against a variety of pathogenic microorganisms including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, before the intervention of adaptive immune system. Due to the lack of adaptive antigen receptors expressed on T cells and B cells, ILCs need to use other means to sense the signals of microbiota and play a role in corresponding regulation. In this review, we focus on and summarize three major mechanisms used in the interaction between ILCs and microbiota: the mediation of accessory cells represented by dendritic cells; the metabolic pathways of microbiota or diet; the participation of adaptive immune cells.

Investigating the impact of antibiotic-induced dysbiosis on protection from Clostridium difficile colitis by mouse colonic innate lymphoid cells

“…Intestinal commensal bacteria maintain continuous interaction with mucosal immune cells and shape their function. The intestinal bacteria directly or indirectly regulate ILC function, potentially via toll-like receptors on ILCs ( 18 , 19 ) or by microbiota effects on intestinal epithelial cells, dendritic cells, or macrophages ( 20 ). For example, intestinal bacteria release short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids that can activate ILC responses during intestinal inflammation ( 21 , 22 ).…”

Editorial: Role of early life nutrition in immunomodulation and microbiota development

“…The impact of the breast feeding on the cross-talking process is relevant, involving both the microbiota and the immune system (2). Furthermore, the nourishment has a crucial role for the development of gut microbiota from the very early to late phases of life, influencing both the innate and the adaptive immune system responses (3)(4)(5). Therefore, the gut microbiome-immune system axis can be defined as a milestone in affecting the health trajectories from birth throughout adulthood.…”

“…This is the case for the so called non-communicable diseases (NCDs), that are represented by metabolic disorders, diabetes, asthma and allergic diseases, autism and chronic inflammatory intestinal disorders. All these diseases seem to be dramatically increased in the last decades, leading to the considering of a role of both altered microbiota (dysbiosis) and malnutrition, that in turn can affect the immune responses and develop chronic diseases (3)(4)(5). Also frequent antibiotic courses during childhood could lead to persistent dysbiosis and contribute to trigger chronic diseases in adulthood (7).…”