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Published on: June 24, 2019
Global Research Trends in Innate Lymphoid Cells in the Gut and Kidney: A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis
Xing Zhang1, Gengxin Liu2, Ziyou Yan3
1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Introduction:
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), critical immune regulators in mucosal tissues, maintain tissue homeostasis, modulate inflammation, and drive immune defense. While their roles in gut and kidney biology are increasingly studied, global research trends and focal points in this field remain largely uncharacterized.
Method:
Using the Web of Science Core Collection (2004-2024), we analyzed 6,835 articles on gut- and kidney-associated ILCs. Bibliometric tools (VOSviewer, CiteSpace) were employed to evaluate publication trends, collaborations, institutional contributions, author influence, journal profiles, and keyword patterns to identify research priorities.
Result:
Annual publications surged from 2004 to 2024, peaking at 622 in 2024. The U.S. (2,145 articles), China (1,539), and Germany (679) dominated output, with Harvard Medical School and Inserm as leading institutions. Gregory F. Sonnenberg and David Artis were the most-cited authors. Key journals included Frontiers in Immunology, Immunity, and Journal of Immunology. Research hotspots centered on inflammatory mechanisms (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), immunotherapy, and ILC-microbiome crosstalk. Emerging trends emphasized tumor microenvironment interactions, as highlighted by keyword burst analysis.
Conclusion:
This study underscores the therapeutic potential of ILCs in inflammation and cancer within the gut and kidney, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance mechanistic and clinical research.
