Isolation and Characterization of MAIT Cells from Human Tissue Biopsies

Methods Mol Biol. 2020:2098:23-38. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0207-2_2.

Abstract

Human mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional T cells highly enriched in tissues exposed to microbial antigens including the oral, gastrointestinal and genital mucosae, liver, and lung. Here we describe a protocol for isolation and characterization of peripheral blood and tissue-infiltrating MAIT cells by using multicolor flow cytometry. This technology allows the analysis of multiple markers in a single sample at a single-cell level. Study of human samples requires particular care since the sample amount is often limited. We present a protocol optimized for the isolation and characterization of human MAIT cells and the identification of MAIT cell populations detected by simultaneous expression of multiple activation markers and inhibitory receptors.

Keywords: Human MR1 tetramer; Immune phenotype; MAIT cells; Multicolor flow cytometry; Tissue-resident cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Biopsy
  • Cell Separation* / methods
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Data Analysis
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping* / methods
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / cytology
  • Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / immunology
  • Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells / metabolism*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte