Abstract
Abstract Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells express an invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR and are restricted by MR1, a class Ib MHC molecule. Here we investigated the role of MAIT cells in arthritis models. The severity of clinical scores of K/BxN serum transfer arthritis and anti-CII antibody-induced arthritis were reduced in MR1-/- mice compared to control B6 mice. Histological examination revealed that cell infiltration and cartilage and bone destruction were significantly less apparent in MR1-/- mice. The number of infiltrated cells in the synovia was one third lower in MR1-/- mice compared to B6 mice. The levels of transcript of IL-1, TNF-α and IL-6 were reduced in infiltrated cells in the joints of MR1-/- mice. The transfer of NK1.1+CD3+ cells from Vα19Tg mice into MR-1-/- mice exacerbated the severity of arthritis to the similar level of arthritis in wild type B6 mice. Taken together, MR-1 restricted MAIT cells contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis.
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