Tissue-resident MAIT cell populations in human oral mucosa exhibit an activated profile and produce IL-17.

ABSTRACT: Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional T lymphocytes defined by their innate-like characteristics and broad antimicrobial responsiveness. Whether MAIT cells are part of the tissue-resident defense in the oral mucosal barrier is unknown. Here, we found MAIT cells present in the buccal mucosa, with a tendency to cluster near the basement membrane, and located in both epithelium and the underlying connective tissue. Overall MAIT cell levels were similar in the mucosa compared to peripheral blood, in contrast to conventional T cells that showed an altered representation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ subsets. The major mucosal MAIT cell subset displayed a tissue-resident and activated profile with high expression of CD69, CD103, HLA-DR, and PD-1, as well as a ske

SUBMITTER: Sobkowiak MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6519349 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature