Rapid expansion of human ILC2 cells for treating gastrointestinal GVHD
Bruce DW, Laurie SJ, Xing Y, et al. A Simple and Efficient Method for the Robust Expansion of Human ILC2s to Prevent Acute GVHD. Blood Advances. 2025; (doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024013609).
Researchers hope their novel but simple approach to rapid expansion of homogenous human type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) provides another option for preventing or treating graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Effective resolution of GVHD requires reconstitution of stem cells and enhancement of the GI tract barrier function, which the team theorized was possible through an infusion of donor ILC2 cells. In murine models of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients, the method generated proteins that bolstered GI tract barrier function and reduced the expansion and function of pro-inflammatory donor cells. Importantly, investigators note, IL-4 must be added to the culture to prevent expansion of pro-inflammatory ILC1-like cells. They envision their approach as an alternative for patients with therapy-resistant GI tract acute GVHD.