Step 1: Type a gene name in the searchbar
Step 2: Click on gene expression tab
Step 3: Click and drag to rotate the plot, and use the scroll wheel or click the magnifying glass (top-right of plot) to zoom
Step 4: Click on camera icon (top-right of plot) to download your result
Step 5: Click on Unsupervised Clusters tab to view clustering
Step 6: Click or double-click legend entries to view individual clusters
Abstract Mucosal-associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells are recognized for their antibacterial functions. The protective capacity of MAIT cells has been demonstrated in mouse models of local infections including in the lungs. Here we show that during systemic infection of mice with Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain results in evident MAIT cell expansion in the liver, lungs, kidney and spleen and peripheral blood. MAIT cells manifest a polarised Th1-like MAIT-1 phenotype, including transcription factor and cytokine profile, and confer a critical role in controlling bacterial load. Post resolution of the primary infection, the expanded MAIT cells form stable memory-like MAIT-1 cell populations, suggesting a basis for vaccination. Indeed, a systemic vaccination with synthetic antigen 5-(2-oxopropylideneamino)-6-D-ribitylaminouracilin combination with CpG adjuvant similarly boosts MAIT cells, and results in enhanced protection against both systemic and local infections with different bacteria. Our study highlights the potential utility of targeting MAIT cells to combat a range of bacterial pathogens.
