Maintenance of Barrier Tissue Integrity by Unconventional Lymphocytes
April 2021
in “
Frontiers in Immunology
”
TLDR Unconventional lymphocytes are important for quick immune responses and healing of skin and mucosal barriers.
The document "Maintenance of Barrier Tissue Integrity by Unconventional Lymphocytes" discusses the role of unconventional lymphocytes, including Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs), γδ T cells, and Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells (MAIT), in maintaining the integrity of barrier tissues such as skin and mucosal surfaces. These cells are crucial for immediate immune response and tissue repair, producing cytokines and growth factors that promote cell growth and wound healing. For instance, ILC2 cells produce growth factors like amphiregulin that promote tissue repair, while γδ T cells produce fibroblast growth factors. MAIT cells also exhibit pro-repair phenotypes and promote skin healing in mice. The document suggests that these unconventional lymphocytes could be potential targets for therapies aimed at promoting tissue repair and regeneration.