Mucosal-associated invariant T cell cytokine receptors (MAIT cytokine receptors)

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell cytokine receptors are a specialized group of surface proteins, primarily including the interleukin-12 receptor (IL-12R), interleukin-18 receptor (IL-18R), and interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R), that facilitate the non-antigen-specific activation of MAIT cells (Ussher et al., 2014). While MAIT cells are traditionally recognized by their semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) which binds to MR1-presented bacterial metabolites, they also express high levels of these cytokine receptors, allowing them to respond rapidly to inflammatory signals even in the absence of TCR ligation (Jo et al., 2014). Upon stimulation by cytokines like IL-12 and IL-18, MAIT cells produce potent effector molecules such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which are essential for the early defense against intracellular pathogens (Hinks et al., 2019). In the context of chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, the IL-23/IL-17 axis involving MAIT cells plays a significant role in driving tissue inflammation (Toubal et al., 2019). Therapeutic strategies often involve monoclonal antibodies, such as ustekinumab or guselkumab, which target the cytokine ligands (IL-12, IL-23) to indirectly modulate the signaling through these receptors and reduce systemic inflammation (Godfrey et al., 2019). Understanding the regulation of these receptors is crucial for developing targeted immunotherapies that can selectively tune MAIT cell activity without compromising overall host immunity.

Other names

MAIT cell cytokine receptorsIL-12/IL-18/IL-23 receptors on MAIT cellsCytokine receptors on Mucosal-associated invariant T cells

Inhibition of cytokine-mediated activation of MAIT cells by blocking the interaction between pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-12, IL-18, and IL-23) and their respective cell-surface receptors.