An overview on the identification of MAIT cell antigens

Lars Kjer-Nielsen; Alexandra J Corbett; Zhenjun Chen; Ligong Liu; Jeffrey YW Mak; Dale I Godfrey; Jamie Rossjohn; David P Fairlie; James McCluskey; Sidonia BG Eckle

Journal article

An overview on the identification of MAIT cell antigens

Lars Kjer-Nielsen, Alexandra J Corbett, Zhenjun Chen, Ligong Liu, Jeffrey YW Mak, Dale I Godfrey, Jamie Rossjohn, David P Fairlie, James McCluskey, Sidonia BG Eckle

IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY | WILEY | Published : 2018

DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12057

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Abstract

Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are restricted by the monomorphic MHC class I-like molecule, MHC-related protein-1 (MR1). Until 2012, the origin of the MAIT cell antigens (Ags) was unknown, although it was established that MAIT cells could be activated by a broad range of bacteria and yeasts, possibly suggesting a conserved Ag. Using a combination of protein chemistry, mass spectrometry, cellular biology, structural biology and small molecule chemistry, we discovered MR1 ligands derived from folic acid (vitamin B9) and from an intermediate in the microbial biosynthesis of riboflavin (vitamin B2). While the folate derivative 6-formylpterin generally inhibited MAIT cell activation,..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Dale Godfrey Author Microbiology and Immunology

Alexandra Corbett Author Microbiology and Immunology

James McCluskey Author

Sidonia Eckle Author Microbiology and Immunology

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia

Awarded by Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence

Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Program Grants 1016629 and 1113293 and Project Grants 1062889, 1083942, 1125493 and 1120467 from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, by an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence CE140100011, and by a Merieux Research Grant from the Institut Merieux. AJC is supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship. DIG and DPF are supported by National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Principal Research Fellowships. JR is supported by an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship. SBGE is supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellowship.