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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
08:30
Isolation of Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells from Mouse Nasal Mucosa to Detect the Expression of CD226
Published on: May 10, 2022
The lambda interferons: guardians of the immune-epithelial interface and the T-helper 2 response
Grant Gallagher1, Nicholas J Megjugorac, Raymond Y Yu
1Genetic Immunology Laboratory, HUMIGEN LLC, The Institute for Genetic Immunology, Hamilton, New Jersey 08690, USA. g.gallagher@humigen.org
Summary
Type-III interferons (IFNs) are newly discovered immune cells with key roles in epithelial immunity. They modulate T-helper 2 responses and complement type-I IFNs
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Type-III interferons (IFNs) represent a recently identified class within the human immune system.
- Their functions in innate and adaptive immunity are significant but not fully understood, complementing known antiviral roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the specific functional niche and immunomodulatory profile of type-III IFNs.
- To compare the antiviral capabilities of type-III IFNs with type-I IFNs.
- To investigate the role of type-III IFNs in T-helper cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature and immunological data.
- Comparative studies of interferon signaling pathways.
- In vitro and in vivo immunological assays (details not provided in abstract).
Main Results:
- Type-III IFNs occupy a distinct functional niche at epithelial-adaptive immune interfaces.
- Their antiviral potency is less pronounced than that of type-I IFNs.
- Type-III IFNs are identified as key modulators of the T-helper 2 (Th2) immune response.
Conclusions:
- Type-III IFNs possess unique immunomodulatory functions distinct from type-I IFNs.
- Their primary role appears to be in regulating immune responses at barrier surfaces, particularly influencing Th2 immunity.
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