Group 2 innate lymphoid cells in lung inflammation

Although allergic asthma is a heterogeneous disease, allergen-specific T helper 2 (Th2) cells producing the key cytokines involved in type 2 inflammation, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13, are thought to play a major role in asthma pathogenesis. This model is challenged by the recent discovery of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) that represent a critical innate source of type 2 cytokines. These ILC2 are activated by epithelial cell-derived cytokines, including IL-25 and IL-33, which have been implicated in the initiation of asthma. In this review, we will discuss recent studies supporting a significant role for ILC2 in lung inflammation, with special attention to allergen-induced asthma.