Article
Immunology
Lichen Ouyang, Mi Wu, Juan Zhao, Lang Jiang, Zhijun Shen, Xue Cheng, Wei Wang, Xiongwen Wu, Xiaonian Cao, Xiufang Weng
Summary: This study evaluates the clinical relevance of MAIT cells in blood and tumor tissues of NSCLC patients. The results show a significant decline in the frequency of MAIT cells in lung tumor tissues, which is related to TNM stage. Additionally, tumor-infiltrating MAIT cells exhibit increased levels of exhaustion markers.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Erin W. Meermeier, Christina L. Zheng, Jessica G. Tran, Shogo Soma, Aneta H. Worley, David Weiss, Robert L. Modlin, Gwendolyn Swarbrick, Elham Karamooz, Sharon Khuzwayo, Emily B. Wong, Marielle C. Gold, David M. Lewinsohn
Summary: Human lung-resident MAIT cells are polycytotoxic, secrete antimicrobial molecules, express genes associated with persistence, and selectively express cytokine and chemokine-related molecules. These characteristics make MAIT cells early sensors in the defense of the respiratory barrier.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marcela de Lima Moreira, Luana Oliveira Borges-Fernandes, Marcelo Antonio Pascoal-Xavier, Agata Lopes Ribeiro, Victoria Hellena Silva Pereira, Troi Pediongco, Marcio Sobreira da Silva Araujo, Andrea Teixeira-Carvalho, Andrea Lucchesi de Carvalho, Maria Vitoria Assumpcao Mourao, Flavia Alves Campos, Marineide Borges, Mariangela Carneiro, Zhenjun Chen, Eleanor Saunders, Malcolm McConville, Moriya Tsuji, James McCluskey, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Sidonia Barbara Guiomar Eckle, Jordana Grazziela Alves Coelho-dos-Reis, Vanessa Peruhype-Magalhaes
Summary: This study reveals the role of MAIT cells in protecting against visceral leishmaniasis, expanding our understanding of MAIT-cell immunity beyond bacterial and viral infections. The findings highlight the potential of MAIT-cell-based therapeutics and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of parasitic infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Sebastian Deschler, Juliane Kager, Johanna Erber, Lisa Fricke, Plamena Koyumdzhieva, Alexandra Georgieva, Tobias Lahmer, Johannes R. Wiessner, Florian Voit, Jochen Schneider, Julia Horstmann, Roman Iakoubov, Matthias Treiber, Christof Winter, Jurgen Ruland, Dirk H. Busch, Percy A. Knolle, Ulrike Protzer, Christoph D. Spinner, Roland M. Schmid, Michael Quante, Katrin Bottcher
Summary: MAIT cells in patients with COVID-19 show high activation and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while their antibacterial and antiviral function is impaired. The data points towards the importance of MAIT cells in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
Article
Immunology
Thibault Ghesquiere, Marion Ciudad, Andre Ramon, Helene Greigert, Claire Gerard, Claudie Cladiere, Marine Thebault, Coraline Genet, Herve Devilliers, Francois Maurier, Paul Ornetti, Valerie Quipourt, Pierre-Henry Gabrielle, Catherine Creuzot-Garcher, Georges Tarris, Laurent Martin, Agnes Soudry-Faure, Philippe Saas, Sylvain Audia, Bernard Bonnotte, Maxime Samson
Summary: This study found that MAIT cells in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) have differences in cytokine production and proliferation, suggesting that MAIT may play a role in the pathogenesis of GCA.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Shivam K. Purohit, Alexandra J. Corbett, Barry Slobedman, Allison Abendroth
Summary: This study demonstrates that mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are susceptible to varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection and exhibit changes in the expression of functional markers. Infected MAIT cells are capable of transferring infectious virus to other permissive cells and retain the ability to migrate and activate in skin sites.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fearon C. Cassidy, Nidhi Kedia-Mehta, Ronan Bergin, Andrea Woodcock, Ardena Berisha, Ben Bradley, Eva Booth, Benjamin J. Jenkins, Odhran K. Ryan, Nicholas Jones, Linda V. Sinclair, Donal O'Shea, Andrew E. Hogan
Summary: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells recognize a limited range of ligands presented by MR1 molecule and play important roles in host protection against bacterial, viral pathogens and cancer. This study demonstrates that MAIT cells exhibit potent cytotoxicity by inducing target cell death and this process depends on glycogen metabolism.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chie Sugimoto, Hiroyoshi Fujita, Hiroshi Wakao
Summary: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a type of innate-like T cells, have important roles in immune homeostasis and host defense. The use of MAIT cells in tumor immunity remains unclear, but induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived MAIT cells (reMAIT cells) show potential for immune cell therapy in treating tumors.
Article
Immunology
Avuyonke Balfour, Charlotte Schutz, Rene Goliath, Katalin A. Wilkinson, Sumaya Sayed, Bianca Sossen, Jean-Paul Kanyik, Amy Ward, Rhandzu Ndzhukule, Anele Gela, David M. Lewinsohn, Deborah A. Lewinsohn, Graeme Meintjes, Muki Shey
Summary: A study in a high TB endemic setting in South Africa revealed that circulating MAIT cell frequencies are significantly decreased in individuals with HIV infection, active TB, and HIV-associated TB, accompanied by functional impairment and increased activation of MAIT cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haruka Kishi, Isao Usui, Teruo Jojima, Shiho Fujisaka, Sho Wakamatsu, Yuiko Mizunuma-Inoue, Takafumi Niitani, Shintaro Sakurai, Toshie Iijima, Takuya Tomaru, Kazuyuki Tobe, Yoshimasa Aso
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health concern, and the presence of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells is associated with reduced lipogenesis and lipid accumulation in the liver.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lichen Ouyang, Mi Wu, Zhijun Shen, Xue Cheng, Wei Wang, Lang Jiang, Juan Zhao, Yeli Gong, Zhihui Liang, Xiufang Weng, Muqing Yu, Xiongwen Wu
Summary: The study found that the frequency of MAIT cells in peripheral blood of adult CAP patients is lower, with higher expression of CD69 and PD-1, compared to healthy individuals. MAIT-cell frequency is higher in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of CAP patients, along with higher levels of CD69 and PD-1. The IL-17A/IFN-gamma ratio is positively correlated with MAIT frequency in BALF of CAP patients, suggesting a potential pathogenic role of MAIT cells in CAP.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yasuo Shimizu, Yukiko Horigane-Konakai, Yoshii Ishii, Chie Sugimoto, Hiroshi Wakao
Summary: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells play a crucial role in allergic airway inflammation by suppressing the production of cytokines by group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and inhibiting ILC2 proliferation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jonna Bister, Ylva Crona Guterstam, Benedikt Strunz, Bogdan Dumitrescu, Karin Haij Bhattarai, Volkan Ozenci, Mats Brannstrom, Martin A. Ivarsson, Sebastian Gidlof, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom
Summary: The study found that MAIT cells in the endometrium exhibit a relatively stable immune cell population under different physiological conditions, with validated antimicrobial capabilities. Additionally, MAIT cells showed an activated tissue-resident phenotype, aiding in the defense against pathogens. Moreover, experimental results demonstrated the ability of MAIT cells to respond to sexually transmitted pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Christine L. Zimmer, Iva Filipovic, Martin Cornillet, Colm J. O'Rourke, Lena Berglin, Hannes Jansson, Dan Sun, Otto Strauss, Laura Hertwig, Helene Johansson, Erik Seth, Ernesto Sparrelid, Joana Dias, Hans Glaumann, Espen Melum, Ewa C. Ellis, Johan K. Sandberg, Jesper B. Andersen, Annika Bergquist, Niklas K. Bjorkstrom
Summary: The study found that MAIT cells were heterogenously lost from intrahepatic and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma tumors possibly in response to increased bacterial burden, while the residual intratumoral MAIT cells exhibited preserved receptor repertoire for interaction with tumor cells. The high presence of MAIT cells in the livers of iCCA patients predicted long-term survival and was associated with a favorable antitumor immune signature.
Article
Oncology
Pietro Torre, Annalisa Brescia, Giorgio Giurato, Raffaella D'Auria, Francesca Rizzo, Benedetta Maria Motta, Valentina Giudice, Carmine Selleri, Pio Zeppa, Alessandro Caputo, Vincenzo Casolaro, Marcello Persico
Summary: MAIT cells are frequently found in T-cell lymphomas, and further in-depth studies with a larger number of samples are needed to better clarify the contribution of MAIT cells to this rare neoplasm.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Shyam Dheda, Hongjin Min, David A. Vesey, Carmel Hawley, David W. Johnson, Goce Dimeski, Helen Healy, Magid Fahim
Summary: There are multiple risk factors for inflammation in dialysis, one of which is the presence of bacterium-derived endotoxin. In this study, inflammation levels were observed in 165 patients receiving outpatient-based hemodialysis, and it was found that pre-dialysis inflammation was prevalent but not related to intradialytic blood pressure variability or hypotension. Endotoxemia was uncommon and unlikely to be a significant driver of inflammation.
CLINICAL NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Carla Scuderi, Suzanne Parker, Margaret Jacks, George T. John, Brett McWhinney, Jacobus Ungerer, Andrew Mallett, Helen Healy, Jason Roberts, Christine Staatz
Summary: This study examined microsampling approaches for the simultaneous measurement of immunosuppressant drug concentrations in kidney transplant patients. The results showed that VAMS was more accurate than DBS in measuring the drug concentrations.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Cate M. Cameron, Kim Vuong, Brett McWhinney, Anna Zournazi, Silvia Manzanero, Jacelle Warren, Gary Mitchell, Victoria McCreanor, Kirsten Vallmuur, Tegwen Howell, Jacobus P. J. Ungerer
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol-related presentations in an emergency department using blood ethanol and PEth testing. The results showed that the prevalence of medium-term alcohol consumption was underestimated when only blood ethanol tests were used. The prevalence of alcohol use was higher among patients presenting with injuries. The regular measurement of acute and medium-term alcohol consumption in emergency department presentations would be valuable for targeted public health prevention and control strategies.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Peter B. M. Mulvey, Logan K. Trim, John G. Aaskov, Emily R. Bryan, Emma L. Sweeney, Avinash Kollipara, Mark B. Plenderleith, Frank E. Aldwell, Kenneth W. Beagley
Summary: This study investigated the potential of oral immunization with a novel lipid adjuvant followed by local vaginal application of inflammatory agents to protect against primary HSV-2 infections. The results showed that this vaccination strategy provided complete protection against wild-type HSV-2 and prevented viral dissemination to the spinal cords.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bennett O. V. Shum, Letitia M. F. Sng, Rasa Ruseckaite, Ilya Henner, Natalie Twine, Denis C. C. Bauer, Urs Wilgen, Carel Pretorius, Paulette Barahona, Jacobus P. J. Ungerer, Glenn Bennett
Summary: Reproductive carrier screening tests for targeted high frequency CF variants in a diverse Australian population are unable to detect approximately 10% of CF variants, with individuals of East Asian ethnicity being disproportionately affected by this test limitation.
PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bennett O. V. Shum, Ilya Henner, Anita Cairns, Carel Pretorius, Urs Wilgen, Paulette Barahona, Jacobus P. J. Ungerer, Glenn Bennett
Summary: Newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) usually relies on PCR-based assays to detect individuals with homozygous deletion in exon 7 of the SMN1 gene. Previous difficulties in accurately mapping short reads from NGS to SMN1 have hindered the use of NGS for SMA screening. In this study, we integrated an NGS assay with a custom bioinformatics algorithm and reporting software into an existing NBS program, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity for SMA screening.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Carla E. Scuderi, Suzanne L. Parker, Margaret Jacks, George T. John, Brett McWhinney, Jacobus Ungerer, Andrew J. Mallett, Helen G. Healy, Jason A. Roberts, Christine E. Staatz
Summary: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of using volumetric absorptive microsamplers (VAMS) to measure tacrolimus and creatinine in kidney transplant recipients. The results showed that VAMS can reliably measure tacrolimus and creatinine, providing a less invasive and more frequent sampling method for patients.
Article
Microbiology
Philip R. R. Selby, Aaron J. J. Heffernan, David Yeung, Morgyn S. S. Warner, Sandra L. L. Peake, Uwe Hahn, Steven C. C. Wallis, Brett Mcwhinney, Jacobus P. J. Ungerer, Sepehr Shakib, Jason A. A. Roberts
Summary: This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for ganciclovir in alloHCT patients and determine dosing regimens to achieve therapeutic exposure targets.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Emily R. Bryan, Logan K. Trim, Pawel Sadowski, Selvam Paramasivan, Jay J. Kim, Kyle Gough, Sophia Worley, Toby Maidment, Alison J. Carey, Bettina Mihalas, Eileen A. McLaughlin, Kenneth W. Beagley
Summary: In this study, the long-term effects of vaccination with chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and ISCOMATRIX (IMX) on male mice were investigated. The results showed that vaccination reduced and cleared chlamydial infection in the prostate, epididymis, and testes, protected sperm health and fertility, and altered immune responses in the spleen and testicular tissue. The study also demonstrated the presence of specific plasma cells in the testes, indicating the importance of vaccination in maintaining testicular function and protecting male fertility.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Charles W. Armitage, Alison J. Carey, Emily R. Bryan, Avinash Kollipara, Logan K. Trim, Kenneth W. Beagley
Summary: Urogenital chlamydial infections are increasing annually, affecting over 127 million people, leading to significant economic and public health pressures. The role of lipid antigens in immunity during these infections remains unclear. However, the study suggests that non-invariant NKT cells play an immunopathogenic role in urogenital chlamydial infections, facilitated by lipid presentation via CD1d on infected antigen-presenting cells.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Toby I. Maidment, Emily R. Bryan, Michael Pyne, Michele Barnes, Sarah Eccleston, Samantha Cunningham, Emma Whitlock, Kelsie Redman, Vere Nicolson, Kenneth W. Beagley, Elise Pelzer
Summary: This study provides the first cultivation-independent characterization of the koala pouch microbiota and its association with reproductive outcomes, highlighting the link between pathogenic bacterial overgrowth in the pouch and neonatal mortality in captive koalas.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Jianzhen Zhang, Vishal Diwan, Zaimin Wang, Helen G. Healy, Sree Krishna Venuthurupalli, Rajitha Abeysekera, Wendy E. Hoy
Summary: This study explores the impact of anemia on patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and found that anemia is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular events, progression to kidney replacement therapy, and death. Additionally, anemia leads to higher hospital utilization and costs. Therefore, preventing and treating anemia is crucial for improving clinical and economic outcomes in CKD patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Urology & Nephrology
Vishal Diwan, Jenny Zhang, Zaimin Wang, Helen Healy, Wendy Hoy