Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an atypical subset of T lymphocytes, which have a highly conserved semi-constant αβ chain of T-cell receptor (TCR) and recognize microbe-derived vitamin B metabolites via major histocompatibility complex class I related-1 molecule (MR1). MAIT cells get activated mainly through unique TCR-dependent and TCR-independent pathways, and express multiple functional and phenotypic traits, including innate-like functionality, T helper (Th) 1 cell immunity, Th 17 cell immunity, and tissue homing. Given the functions, MAIT cells are extensively reported to play a key role in mucosal homeostasis and infectious diseases. In the current work, we review the basic characteristics of MAIT cells and their roles in mucosal homeostasis and development of respiratory infectious diseases as well as their potential therapeutic targets.
Keyphrases
- infectious diseases
- induced apoptosis
- cell cycle arrest
- regulatory t cells
- immune response
- cell death
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- single cell
- computed tomography
- multidrug resistant
- gene expression
- dendritic cells
- risk assessment
- ms ms
- dna methylation
- mesenchymal stem cells
- climate change
- human health
- contrast enhanced