RNA-binding protein RBM3 intrinsically suppresses lung innate lymphoid cell activation and inflammation partially through CysLT1R.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) promote lung inflammation in asthma through cytokine production. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical post-transcriptional regulators, although less is known about RBPs in ILC biology. Here, we demonstrate that RNA-binding motif 3 (RBM3) is highly expressed in lung ILCs and is further induced by alarmins TSLP and IL-33. Rbm3 -/- and Rbm3 -/- Rag2 -/- mice exposed to asthma-associated Alternaria allergen develop enhanced eosinophilic lung inflammation and ILC activation. IL-33 stimulation studies in vivo and in vitro show that RBM3 suppressed lung ILC responses. Further, Rbm3 -/- ILCs from bone marrow chimeric mice display increased ILC cytokine production suggesting an ILC-intrinsic suppressive function of RBM3. RNA-sequencing of Rbm3 -/- lung ILCs demonstrates increased expression of type 2/17 cytokines and cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor (CysLT1R). Finally, Rbm3 -/- Cyslt1r -/- mice show dependence on CysLT1R for accumulation of ST2 + IL-17 + ILCs. Thus, RBM3 intrinsically regulates lung ILCs during allergen-induced type 2 inflammation that is partially dependent on CysLT1R.