Mucosal-associated invariant T cells and tumors / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Mucosal-assooiated invariant T(MAIT) cells are an evolutionarily highly conserved T lymphocyte subsets with the innate functions similar to innate natural killer T(iNKT) cells. MAIT cells are defined by their invariant T cell receptors (TCR)-alpha chain and restrictive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) related protein-! (MR1) , and identify antigens through the MR1, secreting a variety of cytokines after being activated, directly or indirectly involved in the body's immune re-sponses. MAIT cells are also abundant in human peripheral blood and many tissues. They are closely related to the occurrence and development of various infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. This article mainly reviews the research on MAIT cells in tumor diseases.