title: Check MAIT.
abstract: The evolutionary conservation of T lymphocyte subsets bearing αβ TCRs using invariant α-chains is indicative of unique and important functions. Among these T lymphocytes, NKT cells that express an invariant TCRα-chain and recognize lipid Ags presented by the nonclassical MHC class I molecule CD1d are probably the most studied. However, a new population of evolutionarily conserved T cells with another invariant TCRα rearrangement was recently characterized. These cells, which are very abundant in humans, tend to reside in mucosal tissues and, therefore, were named mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. Until recently, little was known about MAIT cells; however, several recent advances in our understanding of MAIT cell characteristics and functions secure their upcoming rise to fame in the immunology field and in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gapin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000502:physiology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018949:Antigens, CD1; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta