Sex differences in activation of lung-related type 2 innate lymphoid cells in experimental asthma

Sex differences in asthma phenotypes and prevalence have been well described. In experimental animal models of asthma, female mice have increased airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil influx, and increased type 2 cytokine production (ie, interleukin [IL] 4, IL-5, and IL-13) in the lungs after allergen challenge when compared with males. Although CD4+ TH2 cells are known to produce type 2 cytokines, the type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are better described for producing much larger quantities of IL-5 and IL-13 compared with TH2 cells.