title: Co-dependents: MR1-restricted MAIT cells and their antimicrobial function.
abstract: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a unique T cell subset in mammals. They are present at high frequencies at mucosal tissue sites and have an intrinsic capacity to respond to microbial infections. The semi-invariant antigen recognition receptor of MAIT cells detects the non-polymorphic antigen-presenting molecule major histocompatibility complex class I-related protein 1 (MR1), which can bind microorganism-derived riboflavin metabolites. The striking evolutionary conservation in both the MR1 molecule and the MAIT T cell receptor suggests that strong selective pressures maintain this T cell pattern recognition system which detects microbial infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. goldm@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Marielle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lewinsohn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D008322:Mammals; D008954:Models, Biological; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000378:metabolism; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012256:Riboflavin