The article reports findings on how Interleukin-25 (IL-25) treatment induces long-lasting changes in the small intestine, leading to enhanced mucosal immunity. Specifically, the researchers identify a population of memory type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), termed effector-memory ILC2s, that are essential for establishing and maintaining this intestinal adaptation. These modified ILC2s exhibit distinct transcriptional and epigenetic profiles and sustain their activated state, promoting resilience against various mucosal pathogens and potentially improving metabolic fitness, even independent of subsequent alarmin signals or tuft cells. The study utilizes various advanced techniques, including single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC-seq, to characterize these cells and demonstrate their sufficiency in transferring protective immunity.

References:

• Cortez, Victor S., et al. "IL-25-induced memory type 2 innate lymphoid cells enforce mucosal immunity." Cell (2025).