Nuocyte
The nuocyte is a cell of the innate immune system that plays an important role in type 2 immune responses that are induced in response to helminth worm infection or in conditions such as asthma and atopic disease.[1] Nuocytes are amongst the first cells activated in type 2 immune responses and are thought to play important roles in activating and recruiting other cells types through their production of type 2 cytokines interleukin 4, 5 and 13.[1] Nuocytes have been observed to proliferate in the presence of interleukin 7 (IL-7) in vitro.[2] Nuocytes contribute to the expulsion of helminth worms [1] and to the pathology of colitis[3] and allergic airways disease.[4]
The nuocyte was identified at the same time as several other immune cells that play similar roles in type 2 immunity. These include Natural Helper Cells (NHCs),
Nuocytes have been shown to have a lymphoid origin and a developmental pathway that is dependent upon the transcription factor RORα and Notch signalling.[10] Pro-T cell progenitors retain nuocyte developmental potential but, unlike T cells, the thymus is dispensable for their development.