title: Transcriptional programs define molecular characteristics of innate lymphoid cell classes and subsets.
abstract: The recognized diversity of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) is rapidly expanding. Three ILC classes have emerged, ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3, with ILC1 and ILC3 including several subsets. The classification of some subsets is unclear, and it remains controversial whether natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1 cells are distinct cell types. To address these issues, we analyzed gene expression in ILCs and NK cells from mouse small intestine, spleen and liver, as part of the Immunological Genome Project. The results showed unique gene-expression patterns for some ILCs and overlapping patterns for ILC1 cells and NK cells, whereas other ILC subsets remained indistinguishable. We identified a transcriptional program shared by small intestine ILCs and a core ILC signature. We revealed and discuss transcripts that suggest previously unknown functions and developmental paths for ILCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Robinette
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Victor S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Cortez
authors.affiliation: Merck Research Laboratories, Palo Alto, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Yaming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Scott K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Durum
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gilfillan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colonna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*