Blocking NKp46-CCR6-ILC3 autophagy alleviates necrotizing enterocolitis by restoring energy metabolism balance [scRNA-seq]

In this study, single-cell transcriptomics, in vivo experiments on T cell-deficient mice, and targeted cell interventions demonstrated that NKp46−CCR6− (double-negative, DN) ILC3 autophagy significantly impacts NEC development by regulating intracellular metabolism.

Mice lacking ATG5 or treated with autophagy inhibitors exhibited reduced ILC3 abundance and impaired ILC3 function, alleviating NEC. Mechanistically, ATG5 deficiency enhanced fatty acid metabolism while reducing glycolysis. Conversely, inhibiting fatty acid oxidation or supplementing with lactate restored the quantity and functionality of ATG5-deficient DN ILC3s, exacerbating NEC.