Open AccessHuman Innate Lymphoid Cells in Influenza Infection and Vaccination
Author(s) -
Suryaprakash Sambhara,
Amrita Kumar,
Rashmi Kumari,
Timothy Liu,
Weiping Cao,
Bruce A. Davidson,
Paul R. Knight
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
critical reviews in immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 2162-6472
pISSN - 1040-8401
DOI - 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2021040801
Subject(s) - immunology , vaccination , immune system , immunity , virus , pandemic , innate immune system , innate lymphoid cell , virology , medicine , biology , covid-19 , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that causes mild to severe respiratory illness, as well as death, and remains a serious threat to human health. Annual vaccination is the most cost-effective way to control influenza; however, the vaccine does not provide protection against emerging strains with epidemic and pandemic potential. Several antivirals have been developed to treat influenza but there is a rapid emergence of antiviral resistant strains. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the virus and its interactions with the host immune system so that novel strategies can be developed for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), a family of immune cells present in the peripheral circulation and in mucosal tissues, play an important role in regulation of tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and immunity. This review examines the current understanding and therapeutic potential of ILCs during influenza virus infection in humans.