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Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells: an evolutionarily conserved T cell subset.
- Source :
-
Microbes and infection [Microbes Infect] 2005 Mar; Vol. 7 (3), pp. 552-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2005 Feb 12. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Besides mainstream TCRalphabeta T cells harboring a very diverse repertoire, two subsets display an evolutionarily conserved invariant repertoire. This striking conservation indicates important and unique functions. CD1d-restricted NK-T cells expressing an invariant Valpha14 TCRalpha chain have been implicated in microbial and tumor responses as well as in auto-immunity. In this review, we describe the other subset, which bears the canonical hValpha7.2/mValpha19-Jalpha33 TCRalpha chain paired with a restricted set of Vbeta segments. These invariant T cells are present in mice, humans and cattle. They are preferentially located in the gut lamina propria (LP) of humans and mice and are therefore called mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. Selection/expansion of this population requires B lymphocytes expressing MR1, a monomorphic major histocompatibility complex class I-related molecule that is also strikingly conserved in diverse mammalian species. MAIT cells are not present in germ-free mice, indicating that commensal flora is required for their expansion in the gut LP. The nature of the ligand and the putative functions of these MAIT cells are discussed.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1286-4579
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Microbes and infection
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 15777741
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2004.12.013