Innate lymphoid cells: balancing immunity, inflammation, and tissue repair in the intestine

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a recently described group of innate immune cells that can regulate immunity, inflammation, and tissue repair in multiple anatomical compartments, particularly the barrier surfaces of the skin, airways, and intestine. Broad categories of ILCs have been defined based on transcription factor expression and the ability to produce distinct patterns of effector molecules. Recent studies have revealed that ILC populations can regulate commensal bacterial communities, contribute to resistance to helminth and bacterial pathogens, promote inflammation, and orchestrate tissue repair and wound healing. This review will examine the phenotype and function of murine and human ILCs and discuss the critical roles these innate immune cells play in health and disease.