Innate Lymphoid Cells

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are white blood cells derived from a common progenitor in the bone marrow . They respond rapidly to a limited array of antigens at the site of infection to provide immediate protection . The first identified ILCs were natural killer cells. H owever, several non - cytotoxic members of the family have since been reported. All ILCs lack the rearranged antigen - receptors characteristic of T - and B - cells but can be similarly divided into three main groups based on cell surface markers and cytokine expression profiles. Like their adaptive immune response counterparts they play specific roles in p roviding host defence against different pathogens. In addition, there is growing evidence that ILCs can contribute to multiple inflammatory and auto immune diseases.