Understanding and modulating the MR1 metabolite antigen presentation pathway

Abstract

The MHC class I-related protein, MR1, presents small metabolite antigens to an unusual subset of innate-like T cells. Herein, we highlight recent progress in our understanding of MR1’s unique antigen presenting pathway, with features of both MHC class I and class II antigen presentation, as highlighted during the EMBO Workshop: CD1-MR1, Beyond MHC-restricted lymphocytes, Oxford, 2019. There is increasing evidence for a role of MR1 restricted T cells in several immune contexts, from cancer to autoimmunity and infections, and therapeutic harnessing of this important biological axis through generation of agonist and antagonist MR1 ligands requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms of MR1-dependent antigen presentation.