Revealing the protective and pathogenic potential of MAIT cells

C D'Souza; Z Chen; AJ Corbett

Journal article

Revealing the protective and pathogenic potential of MAIT cells

C D'Souza, Z Chen, AJ Corbett

Molecular Immunology | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Published : 2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.08.022

Abstract

Mucosal-associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells represent a large proportion of T cells in human blood, and are also present throughout the body, being concentrated at mucosal sites. Their high level of conservation throughout mammalian evolution and recognition of conserved microbial antigens, derived from precursors of riboflavin (vitamin B2) biosynthesis, suggest an important role in protective immunity to pathogens. However, the picture that is emerging of MAIT cell immune function is increasingly complex, with numerous correlations of MAIT cell numbers with human diseases, and with recent studies demonstrating their pathogenic potential. The conditions that drive MAIT cell responses towards..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Zhenjun Chen Author

Alexandra Corbett Author

Related Projects (2)

ANTIGEN PRESENTATION, RECOGNITION AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

This program focuses on understanding the development of immunity during infection or inflammatory diseases using a broad array of technique..

Understanding recognition of vitamin B-based antigens by the immune system

This project aims to evaluate the range of molecules that can stimulate vitamin B-reactive T cells in mammals and amphibians, and the degree..

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

ZC and AC are inventors on patents describing MR1 tetramers. The authors have no other competing interests. This work was supported by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Program Grant 1113293 Grant 1113293. AC is supported by a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council FT160100083.