Mucosa-associated invariant T cells link intestinal immunity with antibacterial immune defects in alcoholic liver disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

Intestinal permeability with systemic distribution of bacterial products are central in the immunopathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), yet links with intestinal immunity remain elusive. Mucosa-associated invariant T cells (MAIT) are found in liver, blood and intestinal mucosa and are a key component of antibacterial host defences. Their role in ALD is unknown.

Methods/design

We analysed frequency, phenotype, transcriptional regulation and function of blood MAIT cells in severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH), alcohol-related cirrhosis (ARC) and healthy controls (HC). We also examined direct impact of ethanol, bacterial products from faecal extracts and antigenic hyperstimulation on MAIT cell functionality. Presence of MAIT cells in colon and liver was ass

SUBMITTER: Riva A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5890654 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature