Detection, Expansion, and Isolation of Human MAIT Cells

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a novel subset of innate-like T cells that recognize vitamin B metabolites from a range of microbes presented by MHC class I-related molecules (MR1). The term mucosal-associated invariant T cells derives from the fact that MAIT cells are abundant in the liver and mucosal tissues, and human MAIT cells use a semi-invariant TCR Vα7.2 Jα33 paired with Vβ2 or Vβ13. Here, based on the interaction between MAIT cell and its ligand 5-OP-RU/MR1, we describe the protocols for identification, rapid expansion, and isolation of human MAIT cells.