Abstract
Abstract Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a CD161+Vα7+ MR1-restricted T-cell subset, that has a complex relationship in regulating the microbiome and defense from invasive bacteria. Recent discovery of a placental microbiome, and genital mucosa MAIT cells, raises the possibility that MAIT are present at the maternal fetal interface and perform regulatory functions in this setting. As a first step, we analyzed human term decidua to detect MAIT cells and analyze their transcriptional programming. Decidua was dissected from human term placentas and mononuclear cells (MCs) were isolated by mechanical (GentleMACS) and enzymatic (Collagenase V, DNAse I) disruption. MCs labeled by flurochrome-conjugated antibodies against CD3, 4, 8, 19, 27, 45RO, 161, and TCR Vα7.2 and intracellular Eomes, RORγt, and T-bet. Data was acquired on a 5 laser (355, 405, 488, 562, 633nm), 18-color BD Fortessa cytometer and analyzed with FlowJo 10.1r7. Data revealed MAIT (CD3+CD161+Vα7.2+) cells in human term decidua, particularly of a memory CD8+ phenotype (CD27+CD45R0+), while fewer of CD4-CD8- and scant CD4+ cells were seen. Transcription factor expression analysis demonstrated uniform expression of PLZF, RORγt, and EOMES in phenotypic MAIT cells, confirming MAIT programming. MAIT cells are present in human term decidua and add a new dimension to the immunological complex regulating the maternal-fetal interface. Mucosal immune dysregulation is implicated in pregnancy pathology, and our findings open a novel area to mechanistic investigation.
Published Version
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