MAIT cells and microbial immunity

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, the most abundant T-cell subset in humans, are increasingly being recognized for their importance in microbial immunity. MAIT cells accumulate in almost every mucosal tissue examined, including the lung, liver and intestinal tract, where they can be activated through T-cell receptor (TCR) triggering as well as cytokine stimulation in response to a host of microbial products. In this review, we specifically discuss MAIT cell responses to bacterial and fungal infections, with a focus on responses that are both MR1-dependent and -independent, the evidence for diversity in MAIT TCR usage in response to discrete microbial products, protective immunity induced by MAIT cells, and MAIT cell antimicrobial functions in the context of these infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)607-617
Number of pages11
JournalImmunology and Cell Biology
Volume96
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2018

Keywords

  • MAIT cells
  • MR1
  • antimicrobial responses
  • infection
  • mucosal immunology
  • unconventional T cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

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