The microbiota shapes the life trajectory of mucosal-associated invariant T cells

2025/04/24 by Yan-Ruide Li, Xinyuan Shen, Yichen Zhu +2
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research #Immune Cell Function and Interaction #T-cell and B-cell Immunology

paper · doi:10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.011

openalex publication_date 2025/04/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells predominantly located in barrier tissues such as the lung, liver, skin, and colon. These cells recognize metabolites derived from the riboflavin biosynthetic pathway, which can rapidly traverse epithelial barriers and be presented during MAIT cell differentiation in the thymus and maturation in peripheral tissues. Furthermore, microbial metabolites significantly influence MAIT cell functions in various conditions, including cancer. This review summarizes how the microbiota shapes the life trajectory of MAIT cells and their antitumor reactivity. Additionally, we discuss the therapeutic implications of manipulating the microbiota as a 'bug-drug' strategy to enhance MAIT cell antitumor immunity, particularly in mucosal cancers, while emphasizing challenges and future directions for integrating microbiota considerations into MAIT cell-based therapies.

Citations

• Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the era of increasing myeloid cell diversity
• The human tumor microbiome is composed of tumor type–specific intracellular bacteria
• MAIT Cells in Health and Disease
• Analysis of Fusobacterium persistence and antibiotic response in colorectal cancer
• Human MAIT-cell responses to Escherichia coli : activation, cytokine production, proliferation, and cytotoxicity
• Innate mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are activated in inflammatory bowel diseases