Insights Into Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cell Biology From Studies of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells

摘要: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and natural killer (iNKT) are innate-like that function at the interface between innate adaptive immunity. They express semi-invariant cell receptors (TCR) recognise unconventional non-peptide ligands bound to MHC Class I-like molecules MR1 CD1d, respectively. MAIT iNKT exhibit an effector-memory phenotype enriched within liver mucosal sites. In humans, frequencies dwarf those of cells, while in laboratory mouse strains opposite is true. Upon activation via TCR- or cytokine-dependent pathways, rapidly produce cytokines show direct cytotoxic activity. Consequently, they essential for effective immunity, alterations their frequency associated with numerous infectious, inflammatory, malignant diseases. Due abundance mice earlier development reagents, have been more extensively studied than cells. This has led routine use as a reference population study such approach proven very fruitful. However, important phenotypic, functional, developmental differences often overlooked. With recent availability new tools, most importantly tetramers, it now possible directly understand biology. Therefore, timely compare phenotype, development, this review, we highlight key areas where similarity difference addition, discuss avenues future research field, especially comparison less informative.