ILC2

A flow diagram of the different development pathways for the 5 subsets of ILC cell, starting from the common lymphoid progenitor, including the different transcription factors they each require for development
Schematic diagram of the development of ILCs, mainly based on mouse differentiation pathways.

ILC2 cells, or type 2 innate lymphoid cells are a type of innate lymphoid cell. They are derived from the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) and belong to the lymphoid lineage. These cells lack antigen-specific B or T cell receptors because of the lack of recombination activating gene. ILC2s produce type 2 cytokines (e.g. IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13) and are involved in responses to helminths, allergens, some viruses, such as influenza virus and cancer.

The cell type was first described in 2001 as non-B/non-T cells, which produced IL-5 and IL-13 in response to IL-25 and expressed MHC class II and CD11c. In 2006, a similar cell population was identified in a case of helminthic infection. The name "ILC2" was not proposed until 2013. They were previously identified in literature as natural helper cells, nuocytes, or innate helper 2 cells. It is believed that ILC2s are a rather old cell type with ancestor populations emerging in lamprey and bony fish.

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