From helpful to harmful: Western University researchers uncover MAIT cells’ dark side in toxic shock syndrome

Dr. Mansour Haeryfar in his laboratory at Western University

A subpopulation of immune cells that normally fend off pathogens can turn against the host during certain infections, Western University researchers have revealed.

The study, published in PLOS Biology was led by Mansour Haeryfar, PhD, at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in collaboration with researchers from France, Australia and the United States. The researchers found for the first time that these immune cells, called mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, can mount a rapid and robust inflammatory response that may contribute to severe organ damage or even death due to infections that lead to toxic shock syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening inflammatory response brought on by exposure to bacterial superantigens, which are toxins harbored and secreted by certain common bacteria, namely Staphylococcus (“staph”) and Streptococcus (“strep”) bacteria. Counterintuitively, it is not the bacteria or its toxins that make toxic shock fatal, but rather the overzealous inflammatory response triggered and perpetuated by the immune system.

Researchers used both animal models and human cells to demonstrate the hyper-responsiveness of MAIT cells to exposure to bacterial superantigens. The team also demonstrated that as MAIT cells responded to superantigens, they also began to develop signs of exhaustion and failure to participate in antimicrobial host defense. This exhaustion may lead to immunosuppression, which can also have fatal consequences due to increased susceptibility to secondary, opportunistic infections.

“In this context, MAIT cells are actually disease-causing as opposed to protective,” said Haeryfar. “We have shown that MAIT cells are the most powerful source of an inflammatory mediator called interferon-γ, thus likely contributing to morbidity associated with toxic shock syndrome and similar superantigen-mediated illnesses.”

“Based on our findings, we propose that timely and efficient therapies that target MAIT cells will likely benefit the patients by preventing uncontrolled inflammation and also by relieving immunosuppression,” said Haeryfar.

Link to the full text of the study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2001930

MEDIA CONTACT: Crystal Mackay, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, t. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c. 519.933.5944, crystal.mackay@schulich.uwo.ca @CrystalMackay

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Dr. Mansour Haeryfar in his laboratory at Western University