Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a specialized subset of innate immune cells that have a protective role in regulating inflammatory responses in the kidneys, including in lupus nephritis. Findings now suggest that promoting ILC2 adhesion and migration — for example, by upregulating the expression of the integrin α4β7 — is a promising therapeutic approach for lupus nephritis.

In vitro, stimulation of kidney ILC2s with agonists of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) or TLR9 reduced the expression of integrin α4β7. By contrast, administration of IL-33 in wild-type mice promoted the expression of integrin α4β7 in kidney ILC2s. Subsequent administration of an integrin β7-blocking antibody prevented IL-33-mediated expansion of the kidney-resident ILC2s, confirming that ILC2 retention in the kidneys was mediated by integrin α4β7.