Multiplexed histology analyses for the phenotypic and spatial characterization of human innate lymphoid cells

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Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) emerge in the last few years as important regulators of immune responses and biological processes. Although ILCs are mainly known as tissue-resident cells, their precise localization and interactions with the microenvironment are still unclear. Here we combine a multiplexed immunofluorescence technique and a customized computational, open-source analysis pipeline to unambiguously identify CD127+ ILCs in situ and characterize these cells and their microenvironments. Moreover, we reveal the transcription factor IRF4 as a marker for tonsillar ILC3, and identify conserved stromal landmarks characteristic for ILC localization. We also show that CD127+ ILCs share tissue niches with plasma cells in the tonsil. Our works thus provide a platform for multiparametric histological analysis of ILCs to improve our understanding of ILC biology.
Funding Information
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SPP1937, HA5354/8-2, TRR130, P17 and C01, SFB 1444, P14)
  • Charité 3R-Adding 3R Value grant

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