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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Oct 19.
Published in final edited form as: Immunity. 2012 Oct 19;37(4):601–610. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2012.10.003

Figure 3. Regulation of commensal bacteria by ILCs.

Figure 3

ILCs can regulate both the composition and anatomical location of commensal bacteria through the production of cytokines that influence numerous pathways at the intestinal epithelial cell barrier. T-bet+ ILCs produce TNFα and IFNγ which can directly influence intestinal epithelial cell permeability and limit dysbiosis of commensal bacteria. GATA3+ ILCs produce IL-13 and amphiregulin (Areg), however a role for these cytokines in regulating commensal bacteria has not yet been identified. RORγt+ ILCs produce lymphotoxin (LT)β to promote the generation of isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs) and support intestinal IgA production. RORγt+ ILCs also produce IL-22 to promote epithelial cell production of mucins and anti-microbial proteins (RegIIIβ, RegIIIγ, S100A8 and S100A9), which are critical for maintaining spatial segregation and anatomical containment of commensal bacteria.