Type 2 innate lymphoid cell and kidney disease

Innate lymphoid cells(ILCs) are a newly-discovered family of immune cells in innate immunity with acquired immune function. Usually located at mucosal barriers, they mediate early immunosurveillance and regulate immune responses through secreting cytokines. As mostly tissue-resident lymphocytes, ILCs are involved in the development of lymphoid tissue, tissue repairing and maintenance of tissue integrity. Based upon the types of secreted cytokines and transduction factors, ILCs may be divided into 3 groups of ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3. Type 2 innate lymphoid cell(ILC2) is a new type of non-B/non-T lymphocytes derived from a common lymphoid progenitor. Regulated by retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α(RORα), ILC2 acts as a bridge between inherent and adaptive immunity. As the first class of cells of activating type 2 immunity, ILC2 plays an important role in Th1/Th2 balance. Kidney disease is caused predominantly by immune inflammatory response, glucose/lipid metabolism disorders, tissue ischemia-reperfusion injury and fibrosis. In view of vital roles of ILC2 in various immune diseases, metabolic diseases and inflammatory reactive diseases, this review focused upon the role and regulation of ILC2 cells and summarized the research status of ILC2 in the field of in kidney diseases.