Expression of c-Kit discriminates between two functionally distinct subsets of human type 2 innate lymphoid cells

Abstract

Human type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are the only ILC subset that shows heterogeneous expression of the SCF receptor c-Kit (CD117). Despite its use as surface marker to distinguish ILC populations, its influence on ILC2 biology has not been investigated. Here, we show that c-Kit expression of peripheral blood ILC distinguishes two functionally distinct ILC2 subsets (c-Kit^hi and c-Kit^lo ). When examined for their potential for functional plasticity we found that c-Kit^lo ILC2 displayed greater potential to produce type 2 cytokines, possibly representing fully mature and lineage committed ILC2. On the other hand, c-Kit^hi ILC2 coexpressed the ILC3-marker and chemokine receptor CCR6 and were able to mount a significant IL-17A response under ILC3-promoting conditions. In addition, c-Kit^hi ILC2 produced higher levels of IFN-γ than c-Kit^lo ILC2 under ILC1-conditions. Although costimulation with SCF did not further influence ILC2 plasticity, it augmented type 2 cytokine production. We conclude that c-Kit marks distinct subpopulations of ILC2, which has therapeutic implications for conditions in which ILC2 are involved, such as allergy and asthma.

Keywords: CD117; IL-17A; c-Kit; innate lymphoid cells; plasticity.