title: Invariant natural killer T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, and in several countries is a leading cause of permanent neurological disability in young adults, particularly women. MS is considered an autoimmune disease, caused by an aberrant immune response to environmental triggers in genetically susceptible subjects. However, the contribution of the innate or of the adaptive immune system to the development and progression of the disease has not yet been fully elucidated. Innate-like T lymphocytes are unconventional T cells that bridge the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, because they use a T cell receptor to sense external ligands, but behave like innate cells when they rapidly respond to stimuli. These cells could play an important role in the pathogenesis of MS. Here, we focus on invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, and we review the current knowledge on their biology and possible involvement in MS. Although several studies have evaluated the frequency and functions of iNKT and MAIT cells both in MS patients and in experimental mouse models, contradictory observations have been reported, and it is not clear whether they exert a protective or a pro-inflammatory and harmful role. A better understanding of how immune cells are involved in MS, and of their interactions could be of great interest for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Biasi
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neurosciences, Nuovo Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neurosciences, Nuovo Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neurosciences, Nuovo Ospedale Civile Sant'Agostino Estense, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sola
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: andrea.cossarizza@unimore.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossarizza
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinti
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015415:Biomarkers; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D056747:Immunomodulation; D000072336:Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Innate-like T lymphocytes; Invariant natural killer T cells; Mucosal-associated invariant T cells; Multiple sclerosis