Update: Innate Lymphoid Cells in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and nonspecific intestinal inflammatory condition with high relapse rate. Its pathogenesis has been linked to dysbacteriosis, genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, a new type of lymphocytes, termed innate lymphoid cells, has been described and classified into three subtypes of innate lymphoid cells—group 1, group 2 and group 3. An imbalance among these subsets’ interaction with gut microbiome, and other immune cells affects intestinal mucosal homeostasis. Understanding the role of innate lymphoid cells may provide ideas for developing novel and targeted approaches for treatment of IBD.