Role of Non-conventional T Lymphocytes in Respiratory Infections: The Case of the Pneumococcus

PLoS Pathogens

François Trottein¹  Christophe Paget²  Stoyan Ivanov³ 

[1] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8204, Lille, France;Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1019, Lille, France;Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France

关键词: T cells;    Respiratory infections;    Pneumococcus;    T cell receptors;    Cytokines;    B cells;    Immune response;    Polysaccharides;   

DOI  :  10.1371/journal.ppat.1004300

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Public Library of Science

【 摘 要 】

Non-conventional T lymphocytes constitute a special arm of the immune system and act as sentinels against pathogens at mucosal surfaces. These non-conventional T cells (including mucosal-associated invariant T [MAIT] cells, gamma delta [γδ] T cells, and natural killer T [NKT] cells) display several innate cell-like features and are rapidly activated by the recognition of conserved, stress-induced, self, and microbial ligands. Here, we review the role of non-conventional T cells during respiratory infections, with a particular focus on the encapsulated extracellular pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia worldwide. We consider whether MAIT cells, γδ T cells, and NKT cells might offer opportunities for preventing and/or treating human pneumococcus infections.

【 授权许可】

CC BY