Brain astrocytes and microglia express functional MR1 molecules that present microbial antigens to mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Dec 15:349:577428. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577428. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Abstract

It is unknown whether brain astrocytes and microglia have the capacity to present microbial antigens via the innate immune MR1/MAIT cell axis. We have detected MAIT cells in the normal mouse brain and found that both astrocytes and microglia are MR1+. When we stimulated brain astrocytes and microglia with E. coli, and then co-cultured them with MAIT cells, MR1 surface expression was upregulated and MAIT cells were activated in an antigen-dependent manner. Considering the association of MAIT cells with inflammatory conditions, including those in the CNS, the MR1/MAIT cell axis could be a novel therapeutic target in neuroinflammatory disorders.

Keywords: Antigen presentation; Astrocytes; Innate immunity; MAIT cells; MR1; Microglia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / immunology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Immunity, Innate / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microglia / immunology
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / biosynthesis*
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / immunology
  • Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / immunology
  • Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Mr1 protein, mouse