In vitro ILC differentiation from human HSCs

The Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) are a family of innate immune cells composed by the Natural Killer (NK) cells and the helper ILCs (hILCs) (ILC1, ILC2, ILC3), both developing from a common ILC precursor (ILCP) derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). A correct ILC reconstitution is crucial, particularly in patients receiving HSC transplantation (HSCT), the only therapeutic option for many adult and pediatric high-risk hematological malignancies. Indeed, mainly thanks to their cytotoxic activity, NK cells have a strong Graft-versus-Leukemia (GvL) effect. On the other hand, hILCs, that are mainly tissue resident, are involved in tissue repair and homeostasis, Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) prevention and immune response to infections. Unlike NK cell development, hILC-poiesis is still poorly characterized in humans. Here, we provide a protocol for the in vitro ILC differentiation from healthy donor peripheral blood-derived CD34⁺ HSCs. This could represent a useful model to dissect the molecular mechanisms by which the distinct ILC subsets are generated from ILCP leading to the development of novel strategies to improve the HSCT clinical outcome.