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Alterations of mucosal-associated invariant T cells in dermatomyositis
S. Ye1, J. Du2, Y. Zhang3, W. Wei4, Y. Li5
- Department of Medical Records Management, Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebral Vascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin; and Tianjin Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immune Diseases, Tianjin Science and Technology Bureau, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Medical Records Management, Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebral Vascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin; and Tianjin Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immune Diseases, Tianjin Science and Technology Bureau, Tianjin, China. tjweiwei2003@163.com
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin; and Tianjin Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immune Diseases, Tianjin Science and Technology Bureau, Tianjin, China. liyanmei0617@163.com
CER19075
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PMID: 41562362 [PubMed]
Received: 05/07/2025
Accepted : 07/10/2025
In Press: 19/01/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and functional changes of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in the peripheral blood of patients with dermatomyositis (DM).
METHODS:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 23 untreated DM patients and 32 healthy controls (HC) were analysed via flow cytometry to assess MAIT cell frequency, activation status, chemokine receptor expression, and cytokine production.
RESULTS:
The frequency of circulating MAIT cells was significantly decreased in the DM group compared with the HC group, while the proportion of CD69+ and PD-1+ MAIT cells was significantly increased, especially in patients with melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5-positive dermatomyositis (MDA5-DM). Moreover, the expression of the chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 on MAIT cells was reduced in DM patients. In addition, the proportion of IFN-γ+ MAIT cells was significantly elevated in DM patients.
CONCLUSIONS:
The reduced frequency of MAIT cells in DM may be associated with excessive activation. The increased secretion of IFN-γ by MAIT cells may contribute to DM pathogenesis.
