Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells provide B-cell help in vaccinated and subsequently SIV-infected Rhesus Macaques

Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 22;10(1):10060. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66964-0.

Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells help combat opportunistic infections. Thus, MAIT cells are of interest in HIV/SIV vaccination and infection. We investigated MAIT cell dynamics and function in rhesus macaque blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) following mucosal adenovirus (Ad)-SIV recombinant priming, intramuscular SIV envelope boosting and infection following repeated low-dose intravaginal SIV exposures. Increased frequencies of blood MAIT cells over the course of vaccination were observed, which were maintained even 12-weeks post-SIV infection. BAL MAIT cells only increased after the first Ad immunization. Vaccination increased MAIT cell levels in blood and BAL expressing the antiviral cytokine IFN-γ and TNF-α and the proliferation marker Ki67. Upon T cell-specific α-CD3, α-CD28 stimulation, MAIT cells showed a greater capacity to secrete cytokines/chemokines associated with help for B cell activation, migration and regulation compared to CD3+MR1- cells. Culture of MAIT cell supernatants with B cells led to greater tissue like memory B cell frequencies. MAIT cell frequencies in blood and BAL correlated with SIV-specific antibody levels in rectal secretions and with SIV-specific tissue resident memory B cells. Overall, SIV vaccination influenced MAIT cell frequency and functionality. The potential for MAIT cells to provide help to B cells was evident during both vaccination and infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
  • Female
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / metabolism*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Vaccination / veterinary*

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma