The mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and the development of asthma remain incompletely understood. Dale T. Umetsu and his colleagues report that the number of IL-17A+ type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) is increased in the lungs of mice fed a high-fat diet. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in lung macrophages promotes IL-1β production and ILC development, and blockade of IL-1 signaling inhibits airway hyperreactivity in obese mice. As these ILCs are also found in the lungs of individuals with asthma, these results suggest that this pathway may be targeted in asthma.
- Hye Young Kim
- Hyun Jun Lee
- Dale T Umetsu