IL-25 simultaneously elicits distinct populations of innate lymphoid cells and multipotent progenitor type 2 (MPPtype2) cells

Abstract

The predominantly epithelial cell–derived cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) can promote CD4+ Th2 cell–dependent immunity, inflammation, and tissue repair at barrier surfaces through the induction of multiple innate immune cell populations. IL-25 and IL-33 were previously shown to elicit four innate cell populations, named natural helper cells, nuocytes, innate type 2 helper cells, and multipotent progenitor type 2 (MPPtype2) cells, now collectively termed group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). In contrast to other types of ILC2, MPPtype2 cells exhibit multipotent potential and do not express T1/ST2 or IL-7Rα, suggesting that MPPtype2 cells may be a distinct population. Here, we show that IL-33 elicits robust ILC2 responses, whereas IL-25 predominantly promotes MPPtype2 cell responses at multiple tissue sites with limited effects on ILC2 responses. MPPtype2 cells were distinguished from ILC2 by their differential developmental requirements for specific transcription factors, distinct genome-wide transcriptional profile, and functional potential. Furthermore, IL-25–induced MPPtype2 cells promoted Th2 cytokine–associated inflammation after depletion of ILC2. These findings indicate that IL-25 simultaneously elicits phenotypically and functionally distinct innate lymphoid– and nonlymphoid-associated cell populations and implicate IL-25–elicited MPPtype2 cells and extramedullary hematopoiesis in the promotion of Th2 cytokine responses at mucosal surfaces.