BackgroundThe study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of intestinal flora metabolite butyrate on inflammatory ILC2 cells (iILC2s)-mediated lung inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsMouse models of COPD and acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) were established. Flow cytometry was used to detect natural ILC2 cells (nILC2s) and iILC2s in lung and colon tissues. The 16s rRNA and GC-MS were used to detect microbial flora and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces. ELISA was used to detect IL-13 and IL-4. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA levels, respectively. In vitro experiments were performed with sorted ILC2s from colon tissues of control mice. Mice with AECOPD were treated with butyrate.ResultsThe nILC2s and iILC2s in lung and colon tissues of AECOPD mice were significantly higher than control groups. The abundance of the floraClostridiaceaewas significantly reduced, and the content of SCFAs, including acetate and butyrate, was significantly reduced. The in vitro experiments showed that butyrate inhibited iILC2 cell phenotype and cytokine secretion. Butyrate treatment reduced the proportion of iILC2 cells in the colon and lung tissues of mice with AECOPD.ConclusionsThe nILC2s and iILC2s in the colon tissues are involved in the course of COPD. DecreasedClostridiaceaeand butyrate in AECOPD mice caused the accumulation of iILC2 cells in the intestines and lungs. Supplementation of butyrate can reduce iILC2 in the intestine and lung tissues. Our data may provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of COPD.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-023-02438-z.