IL-23 costimulates antigen-specific MAIT cell activation and enables vaccination against bacterial infection

Huimeng Wang, Lars Kjer-Nielsen, Mai Shi, Criselle D'Souza, Troi J. Pediongco, Hanwei Cao, Lyudmila Kostenko, Xin Yi Lim, Sidonia B.G. Eckle, Bronwyn S. Meehan, Tianyuan Zhu, Bingjie Wang, Zhe Zhao, Jeffrey Y.W. Mak, David P. Fairlie, Michele W.L. Teng, Jamie Rossjohn, Di Yu, Barbara Fazekas De St Groth, George LovreczLouis Lu, James McCluskey, Richard A. Strugnell, Alexandra J. Corbett, Zhenjun Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

81 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are activated in a TCR-dependent manner by antigens derived from the riboflavin synthesis pathway, including 5-(2-oxopropylideneamino)-6-d-ribitylaminouracil (5-OP-RU), bound to MHC-related protein-1 (MR1). However, MAIT cell activation in vivo has not been studied in detail. Here, we have found and characterized additional molecular signals required for optimal activation and expansion of MAIT cells after pulmonary Legionella or Salmonella infection in mice. We show that either bone marrow-derived APCs or non-bone marrow-derived cells can activate MAIT cells in vivo, depending on the pathogen. Optimal MAIT cell activation in vivo requires signaling through the inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS), which is highly expressed on MAIT cells. Subsequent expansion and maintenance of MAIT-17/1-type responses are dependent on IL-23. Vaccination with IL-23 plus 5-OP-RU augments MAIT cell-mediated control of pulmonary Legionella infection. These findings reveal cellular and molecular targets for manipulating MAIT cell function under physiological conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaaw0402
Number of pages14
JournalScience Immunology
Volume4
Issue number41
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2019
  • ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging

    Whisstock, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Abbey, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Nugent, K. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Quiney, H. M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Godfrey, D. I. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Heath, W. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Fairlie, D. P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Chapman, H. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Peele, A. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Davey, J. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Wittmann, A. (Project Manager)

    30/06/1431/03/21

    Project: Research

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