Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger controls type 2 immune responses in the lungs by regulating lineage commitment and the function of innate and adaptive immune cells

Abstract

Type 2 immune responses are critical for host defense, mediate allergy and Th2-high asthma. The transcription factor, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), has emerged as a significant regulator of type 2 inflammation in the lung; however, its exact mechanism remains unclear. In this review, we summarized recent findings regarding the ability of PLZF to control the development and function of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), iNKT cells, memory T cells, basophils, and other immune cells that drive type 2 responses. We discussed the important role of PLZF in the pathogenesis of Th2-high asthma. Collectively, prior studies have revealed the critical role of PLZF in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune cells involved in type 2 inflammation in the lung. Therefore, targeting PLZF signaling represents a promising therapeutic approach to suppress Th2-high asthma.

Keywords: Asthma(3); Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs)(6); Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells(5); Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF)(1); T cells(4); Type 2 Immunity(2).