Innate lymphoid cells in intestinal cancer development

Semin Immunol. 2019 Feb:41:101267. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.02.001. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prominent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although the functions of immune cells in the colorectal tumor microenvironment are complex and heterogeneous, dysregulated changes in the composition and activation state of immune cells are believed to represent key events supporting the establishment of pro- or anti-tumorigenic immune states. Recently, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) emerged as central innate immune mediators during both gastrointestinal homeostasis and inflammatory pathologies. Hence, ILCs might also represent promising targets in the context of cancer therapy and are increasingly recognized as innate immune cells with potent immunomodulatory properties. In this review, we summarize the pleiotropic roles of the different ILC subsets for intestinal homeostasis and discuss the recent evidence on their potential involvement in the development and growth of intestinal cancers.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Gut immune system; ILC1; ILC2; ILC3; Innate lymphoid cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Biomarkers