MAIT cell activation augments adenovirus vector vaccine immunogenicity

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aax8819
• Publication Date: 2021-01-28T20:10:24Z
• Authors: Nicholas M. Provine; Ali Amini; Lucy C. Garner; Alexandra J. Spencer; Christina Dold; Claire Hutchings; Laura Silva Reyes; Michael E. B. Fit...; Senthil Chinnakannan; Blanche Oguti; Meriel Raymond; Marta Ulaszewska; Fulvia Troise; Hannah Sharpe; Sophie B. Morgan; Timothy S. C. Hinks; Teresa Lambe; Stefania Capone; Antonella Folgori; Eleanor Barnes; Christine S. Rollier; Andrew J. Pollard; Paul Klenerman
• Keywords: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Genetic Vectors; Interleukin-18; Interferon-alpha; Viral Vaccines; Dendritic Cells; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Lymphocyte Activation; Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells; Adenoviridae; 3. Good health; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Animals; Humans

Vaccines get a help-MAIT

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a T cell subset important for mucosal homeostasis. These cells recognize derivatives of microbiota-derived vitamin B2 precursors but can also be activated by certain cytokines in the context of viral infections. Provine et al. report that a leading adenoviral vector vaccine, ChAdOx1, activated MAIT cells in immunized mice (see the Perspective by Juno and O'Connor). This activation required interferon-α produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells as well as monocyte-derived interleukin-18 and tumor necrosis factor. MAIT cell activation positively correlated with vaccine-mediated T cell responses in human subjects, and mice deficient in MAIT cells showed impaired CD8 + T cell immunity to target antigens after vaccination. This work suggests an additional pathway that could be exploited to enhance the efficacy of vaccines.

Science , this issue p. 521 ; see also p. 460