Uncovering the Role of ILC2s in Immune Recovery after Stem Cell Transplant

Researchers at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and their collaborators have uncovered a role for type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in immune recovery after stem cell transplants in cancer patients. Their research shows that ILC2s, an important type of immune cell, undergo significant changes in their identity and function after patients receive donor stem cells. This adaptability of ILC2s may hinder patients from effectively and healthily reconstituting their immune systems after transplantation.

Stem cell transplants are an important treatment for many cancer patients, especially those battling blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. The procedure involves replacing a patient’s diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor, with the primary goal of reconstituting the patient’s immune system. However, the process of reconstituting the immune system is complex and can be hindered by a variety of factors, including the behavior of immune cells such as ILC2s.

This study highlights how ILC2s, known for their role in regulating immune responses and maintaining tissue homeostasis, can change their function after transplantation. This shift may prevent the newly introduced stem cells from effectively establishing a strong and healthy immune system, which could lead to complications or poor recovery. Understanding this translational flexibility of ILC2s provides important insights that could inform the development of new strategies aimed at improving immune recovery after stem cell transplantation.

These findings suggest that by targeting the behavior of ILC2s, it may be possible to improve the overall success of stem cell transplantation, leading to better outcomes for patients. This study opens the door to novel therapeutic approaches that modulate ILC2 activity, ensuring more effective reconstitution of the immune system and reducing the risk of post-transplant complications.

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Reference

[1] Sonia Laurie et al., Nature Communications 2024 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50263-7)