Figure 4. IFNγ-producing ILC3 provide protection.

CCR6⁻ ILC3 (Lin⁻CD3⁻NK1.1⁻ CD90.2^highCD45^intCCR6⁻) were sorted from SI-LP of Rag1^−/− Ifng^−/− or Rag1^−/− mice. Sorted CCR6⁻ ILC3 (~1.5 × 10⁵ cells/mouse) were transferred by retro-orbital injection into Rag2^−/−gc^−/− recipients at day −1. Groups of mice were infected orally with 1.4 × 10⁸YE CFU (n=5–11 per group; co-housed). (A) Survival curves. (B) Changes in body weight. Data show mean±SEM. (C) Representative H&E stained (i-iii, vii-ix) or Warthin-Starry silver stained (iv-vi, x-xii) tissues from the indicated mice at day 5 p.i. Images of spleen (i-vi) and liver (vii-xii). Scale bars, 100μm. Two independent experiments were carried out yielding similar results. Statistical analysis was performed using Log-rank test (A) or 2 way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s multiple hypothesis correction (B). Statistical significance is indicated by *, p < 0.05; ***, p < 0.001 and statistical significance in A and B is indicated by green stars (WT ILC3 vs Ifng^−/−C3) and red stars (WT ILC3 vs none). Data represent pooled results from two independent experiments having at least three mice per group in each experiment.