Parallel T-cell cloning and deep sequencing of the transcripts of human MAIT cells reveal stable oligoclonal TCRß repertoire

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are abundant in humans and recognize conserved bacterial antigens derived from riboflavin precursors, presented by the non-polymorphic MHC class I-like molecule MR1. Here, we show via transcriptomic analysis that human MAIT cells are remarkably oligoclonal in both blood and liver, display high inter-individual homology, and exhibit a restricted length CDR3ß domain of the TCRVß chain. We extend this analysis to a second sub-population of MAIT cells expressing a semi-invariant TCR conserved between individuals. Overall design: Study of CDR3 regions of TCRalpha and beta sequences

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Lepore M, Kalinichenko A, Colone A, Paleja B, Singhal A, Tschumi A, Lee B, Poidinger M, Zolezzi F, Quagliata L, Sander P, Newell E, Bertoletti A, Terracciano L, De Libero G, Mori L