- MR1 presents microbial-derived vitamin B metabolites to MAIT cells and is expressed in astrocytes and microglia
- MAIT cells are present in the normal mouse brain
- Brain astrocyte and microglia MR1 can effectively process and present microbial antigens to MAIT cells, resulting in MAIT cell activation
- The MR1/MAIT cell axis may play an important role in the CNS under both normal and disease conditions
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.
