The shifting balance: innate lymphoid cell plasticity in chronic gut diseases

Abstract

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), as core components of innate immunity, coordinate mucosal immune defense and homeostasis through their functional plasticity. They exhibit functional diversity in the intestine and display a complex dual role in intestinal diseases, which is closely associated with their phenotypic transformation and functional reprogramming. Current studies have demonstrated that ILCs play critical roles in various chronic intestinal diseases, including autoimmune intestinal disorders, chronic infectious intestinal inflammation, and colorectal cancer. However, the specific functions and reprogramming mechanisms of ILC subsets remain controversial across different types of intestinal diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current research on the mechanisms of ILCs in chronic intestinal diseases, aiming to advance the development of immunotherapeutic strategies targeting ILC reprogramming and offer novel insights into the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases.