Employing new approaches to investigate human and mouse group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses

Date: June 16, 2015
Time: 8:00AM Pacific time, 11:00AM Eastern Time

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are recently described innate immune cells that contribute to type 2 inflammation, tissue repair, and metabolic homeostasis in multiple tissues. While ILC2s play key roles in various biological processes, these cells are rare, making analysis of their phenotype and function a technical challenge. This webinar will discuss cutting-edge techniques that can be used to examine this dynamic cell population in murine models and in human tissues. A project focused on assessing the role of the prostaglandin D2 receptor, CRTH2 (chemoattractant homologous molecule expressed by Th2 cells), in ILC2 responses will be used to highlight selected technical approaches and assays that can be used to analyze ILC2 phenotype and function. Techniques that will be highlighted include multi-color flow cytometry, cell sorting approaches, single-cell RNA staining, and in vitro assays for ILC2 function. In particular, the PrimeFlow™ RNA assay, which enables simultaneous assessment of protein and RNA transcript expression on a single cell level, will be discussed. The key concepts described during the session will provide relevant information for those new to the ILC field and for investigators who are already experienced in the analysis of ILC responses.