Developmental patterns of intestinal group 3 innate lymphoid cells in piglets and their response to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection

Abstract Diarrhoea and preweaning mortality in piglets are crucial factors impacting the economic sustainability of the swine industry. Pathogenic infections are among the main causes of diarrhea and mortality. Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are crucial for safeguarding against pathogenic infections. However, knowledge regarding the development and function of ILC3s in suckling piglets is currently limited. Our findings demonstrate that the development of ILC3s in suckling piglets gradually progresses from day 1 to day 21, with a notable increase observed on day 28. Additionally, the development of NKp46 + ILC3s and the production of interleukin (IL)-17A by ILC3s displayed consistent patterns with the changes observed in ILC3s. Notably, interferon (IFN)-γ levels significantly increased on day 14. Moreover, the production of IFN-γ by NKp46 + ILC3s was greater than that by NKp46 − ILC3s. Importantly, when piglets were subjected to a 4-h challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli , both the percentages of ILC3s significantly increased, accompanied by increased IL-22 production, highlighting their importance in maintaining intestinal health. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for future related research.