title: Role of non-conventional T lymphocytes in respiratory infections: the case of the pneumococcus.
abstract: Non-conventional T lymphocytes constitute a special arm of the immune system and act as sentinels against pathogens at mucosal surfaces. These non-conventional T cells (including mucosal-associated invariant T [MAIT] cells, gamma delta [γδ] T cells, and natural killer T [NKT] cells) display several innate cell-like features and are rapidly activated by the recognition of conserved, stress-induced, self, and microbial ligands. Here, we review the role of non-conventional T cells during respiratory infections, with a particular focus on the encapsulated extracellular pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia worldwide. We consider whether MAIT cells, γδ T cells, and NKT cells might offer opportunities for preventing and/or treating human pneumococcus infections.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1019, Lille, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8204, Lille, France; Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Stoyan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ivanov
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1019, Lille, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8204, Lille, France; Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paget
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1019, Lille, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8204, Lille, France; Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trottein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*