Five subsets of ILCs are extensively described, Lymphoid Tissue inducer (LTi) cells, cytotoxic NK cells and non-cytotoxic helper ILC1s, ILC2s and ILC3s. So far, the main focus has been on the potent cytokine production by helper ILCs and their plastic nature that allows them to switch function and phenotype upon environmental changes. Recent advances in the field indicate the presence of cytotoxic helper ILCs that are distinct from conventional NK cells. In humans, these cytotoxic ILCs can develop from conventional helper ILCs whereas in mice this remains to be elucidated. In this review we discuss the identification, development and function of cytotoxic helper ILCs subsets in humans and mice.

广泛描述了五个 ILC 子集，淋巴组织诱导 (LTi) 细胞、细胞毒性 NK 细胞和非细胞毒性辅助 ILC1、ILC2 和 ILC3。到目前为止，主要关注的是辅助 ILC 产生的有效细胞因子及其可塑性，使它们能够根据环境变化切换功能和表型。该领域的最新进展表明存在与传统 NK 细胞不同的细胞毒性辅助 ILC。在人类中，这些细胞毒性 ILC 可以从传统的辅助 ILC 发展而来，而在小鼠中，这仍有待阐明。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了人类和小鼠细胞毒性辅助 ILCs 亚群的鉴定、发育和功能。