Activation, Impaired Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Production, and Deficiency of Circulating Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in Patients with Scrub Typhus

• Published in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol. 10; no. 7; p. e0004832
• Main Authors: Kang, Seung-Ji, Jin, Hye-Mi, Won, Eun Jeong, Cho, Young-Nan, Jung, Hyun-Ju, Kwon, Yong-Soo, Kee, Hae Jin, Ju, Jae Kyun, Kim, Jung-Chul, Kim, Uh Jin, Jang, Hee-Chang, Jung, Sook-In, Kee, Seung-Jung, Park, Yong-Wook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.07.2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biology and Life Sciences; Female; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Male; Medicine and Health Sciences; Middle Aged; Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells - physiology; Research and Analysis Methods; Scrub Typhus - metabolism; Scrub Typhus - pathology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics
• ISSN: 1935-2735; 1935-2727; 1935-2735
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004832

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells contribute to protection against certain microorganism infections. However, little is known about the role of MAIT cells in Orientia tsutsugamushi infection. Hence, the aims of this study were to examine the level and function of MAIT cells in patients with scrub typhus and to evaluate the clinical relevance of MAIT cell levels. Thirty-eight patients with scrub typhus and 53 health control subjects were enrolled in the study. The patients were further divided into subgroups according to disease severity. MAIT cell level and function in the peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. Circulating MAIT cell levels were found to be significantly reduced in scrub typhus patients. MAIT cell deficiency reflects a variety of clinical conditions. In particular, MAT cell levels reflect disease severity. MAIT cells in scrub typhus patients displayed impaired tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production, which was restored during the remission phase. In addition, the impaired production of TNF-α by MAIT cells was associated with elevated CD69 expression. This study shows that circulating MAIT cells are activated, numerically deficient, and functionally impaired in TNF-α production in patients with scrub typhus. These abnormalities possibly contribute to immune system dysregulation in scrub typhus infection.