Innate lymphoid cell is a type of newly discovered innate immune cell , which can function as adaptive T cells . Based on the transcription factors and the expression of effector cytokines , innate lymphoid cells can be categorized into three sub-groups:ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3.The inflammatory factors these produced by ILC play an important role in the development of inflamma -tory bowel disease (IBD), but ILC3 can secrete IL-22, which promotes the restoration of intestinal epithelial cells .Exploring the func-tion of ILC has a great significance in the treatments of IBD .This article reviews their phenotype , function and also relationship with IBD.