ILC1lc

ILC1lc (innate lymphoid cells-type 1-like cells) is an experimental cell-based therapeutic and pathogenic model used to study the development of alopecia areata (AA). These cells are characterized by a specific immune phenotype (CD49a+CD49b- lin- CD127+ CD117- CRTH2- T-bet low Eomes high) that distinguishes them from classical NK cells and ILC1s. ILC1lc drive hair loss by secreting high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and expressing the activating receptor NKG2D, which recognizes stress signals such as MICA on hair follicles. Research demonstrates that ILC1lc are sufficient to induce the hallmarks of AA, including premature hair follicle regression (catagen), hair follicle dystrophy, and the collapse of hair follicle immune privilege. This cell population represents a potential target for future AA therapies, particularly for non-autoantigen-dependent variants of the disease.

Other names

innate lymphoid cells-type 1-like cellsILC1-like cellsILC-1-like cellsILC 1-like cells