title: MAIT cells and pathogen defense.
abstract: Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a unique population of innate T cells that are abundant in humans. These cells possess an evolutionarily conserved invariant T cell receptor α chain restricted by the nonpolymorphic class Ib major histocompatibility (MHC) molecule, MHC class I-related protein (MR1). The recent discovery that MAIT cells are activated by MR1-bound riboflavin metabolite derivatives distinguishes MAIT cells from all other αβ T cells in the immune system. Since mammals lack the capacity to synthesize riboflavin, intermediates from the riboflavin biosynthetic pathway are distinct microbial molecular patterns that provide a unique signal to the immune system. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that MAIT cells, which produce important cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-17A, have the potential to influence immune responses to a broad range of pathogens. Here we will discuss our current understanding of MAIT cell biology and their role in pathogen defense.
authors.affiliation: Division of Bacterial Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Laboratory of Mycobacterial Diseases and Cellular Immunology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike HFM-431, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA, siobhan.cowley@fda.hhs.gov.
authors.forename: Siobhán C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cowley
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta