The Immunology Podcast

Ep. 127: “MAIT Cell Responses” Featuring Dr. Mansour Haeryfar

Mar 24, 2026
Dr. Mansour Haeryfar, a professor studying mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, discusses MR1-restricted MAIT biology and antigen recognition. He explores MAIT activation by cytokines and viral infection. Conversation covers MAIT roles in tissue repair, fibrosis, cancer, and prospects for off-the-shelf MR1-based immunotherapies.
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INSIGHT

MAIT TCR Invariance Focuses MR1 Recognition

  • MAIT TCRs are invariant (e.g., human Vα7.2–Jα33) pairing with limited beta chains to specifically bind MR1–ligand complexes.
  • Researchers are actively hunting additional MR1 ligands, including drug-like molecules and potential tumor-associated metabolites.
INSIGHT

MAIT Cells Respond To Viruses Via Cytokines

  • Viruses lack riboflavin metabolism so they don't produce MR1 ligands, yet MAIT cells can be activated during viral infections via cytokines like IL-12/IL-18.
  • High IL-12/IL-18 receptor expression enables TCR-independent MAIT activation in antiviral contexts.
INSIGHT

Microbiota And B Cells Drive MAIT Maturation

  • Final MAIT maturation post-thymus requires B cells and microbial exposure from normal flora, linking microbiota to MAIT development.
  • This dependency explains MAIT enrichment at mucosal barriers and their role in homeostasis beyond infection.
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