Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a subset of innate-like T cells that express a semi-invariant T cell receptor and are restricted by the molecule major histocompatibility complex class I-related molecule 1 (MR1). MAIT cells recognize biosynthetic derivatives of the riboflavin synthesis pathway present in microbes. MAIT cells have attracted increased interest related to various immune responses because of their unique features including their abundance in humans, nonpeptidic antigens, and ability to respond to antigenic and non-antigenic stimuli. The numbers of circulating MAIT cells are decreased in many immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the remaining MAIT cells have an increased cytokine-producing capacity and activated status, which is related to disease activity. Additionally, MAIT cells have been observed at sites of inflammation including the kidneys, synovial fluid and intestinal mucosa. These findings suggest their involvement in the pathogenesis of immune diseases. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent findings of MAIT cells in human immune diseases and animal models, and discuss their role and potential as a therapeutic target.

中文翻译：

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黏膜相关不变T细胞的特征及其在免疫疾病中的作用

摘要

黏膜相关不变 T (MAIT) 细胞是先天样 T 细胞的一个子集，它们表达半不变 T 细胞受体并受到分子主要组织相容性复合物 I 类相关分子 1 (MR1) 的限制。MAIT 细胞识别微生物中存在的核黄素合成途径的生物合成衍生物。MAIT 细胞因其独特的特征（包括在人类中的丰富性、非肽抗原以及对抗原和非抗原刺激作出反应的能力）而引起了与各种免疫反应相关的越来越多的兴趣。在多发性硬化症、系统性红斑狼疮和炎症性肠病等许多免疫疾病中，循环 MAIT 细胞的数量减少。然而，剩余的 MAIT 细胞具有增加的细胞因子产生能力和激活状态，这与疾病活动有关。此外，已在炎症部位观察到 MAIT 细胞，包括肾脏、滑液和肠粘膜。这些发现表明它们参与了免疫疾病的发病机制。在这篇小型综述中，我们总结了 MAIT 细胞在人类免疫疾病和动物模型中的最新发现，并讨论了它们作为治疗靶点的作用和潜力。