# Role of ILC2s in lung maintenance and repair

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $36,825

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The lung is home to a population of innate lymphoid cells that establish residence early in development and
are poised to produce type 2 cytokines (ILC2s). Although implicated in clearance of helminth infection and in
allergy, their role in other types of lung injury is poorly understood. Similarly, their cytokine products have
predominantly been studied in models of “type 2” inflammation, despite growing evidence that they may also
be critical for tissue maintenance and repair in a variety of homeostatic perturbations. In this application, we
propose to use a well-established model of influenza-induced acute lung injury to uncover a role for ILC2s in
tissue protection and healing. Furthermore, we will explore the hypothesis that a specific, prototypical ILC2
product, IL-13, significantly contributes to lung repair. Finally, we will compare the behavior of ILC2s to that of
adaptive lymphocytes during influenza infection and subsequent recovery in order to illustrate the
complementary but distinct roles of resident and recruited innate and adaptive lymphocytes. To accomplish our
aims, we will use genetically engineered mouse strains developed in our lab, which allow for the powerful
manipulation, phenotyping, and tracking of these fascinating cells. We will pair these novel models and tools
with classic and clinically-applicable physiologic measurements to understand how phenomena of cellular
biology translate to whole animal physiology. These studies will greatly expand upon current knowledge about
the biology of ILC2s in influenza infection and/or other models of acute lung injury. It is an unfortunate reality of
pulmonary medicine that there are relatively few effective, targeted treatments. This paucity of treatment
options persists in large part because knowledge of pulmonary biology—and pulmonary immunity,
specifically—are still so limited. The investigations described herein will uncover critical aspects of the biology
of innate lymphoid cells and their products—knowledge that is essential to the eventual harnessing of these
pathways to safely and effectively reduce and remedy acute lung injury in human patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10126816
- **Project number:** 5F32HL140868-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Maya Kotas
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $36,825
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2020-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10126816

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10126816, Role of ILC2s in lung maintenance and repair (5F32HL140868-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10126816. Licensed CC0.

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