Characteristics of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and their role in immunological disorders (an update)

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a novel family of hematopoietic effectors and regulators of innate immunity.
Although these cells are morphologically similar to B cells and T cells, however they do not express
antigen receptors. ILCs seems to have emerging roles in innate immune responses against infectious or
non-infectious microorganisms, protection of the epithelial barrier, lymphoid organogenesis and inflammation,
tissue remodeling and regulating homeostasis of tissue stromal cells. In addition, it has recently
been reported that ILCs have a crucial role in several disorders such as allergy and autoimmunity. Based
on their phenotype and functions, ILCs are classified into three major groups called ILCs1, ILCs2, and
ILCs3. Here we reviewed the most recent data concerning diverse ILC phenotypes, subclasses, functions
in immune responses as well as in immune mediated disorders