Scientists at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) a major discovery about a special type of T cells called MAIT cells (mucosa-associated invariant T cells). These cells help protect us from infections and could one day be used to treat many diseases.
MAIT cells live in places like the lungs and gut but also travel through the blood and other organs. Unlike many immune cells, they are designed to spot molecules made by bacteria and other microbes. This makes them quick responders that connect the body’s fast but general defenses with a more targeted immune response.
Until now, researchers thought MAIT cells developed like other T cells. But the IRCM team found that MAIT cells follow their own unique growth path, controlled by different molecules on their surface. This explains how they mature and why their activity changes depending on what the body needs.
The team also discovered a group of MAIT cells in humans that react less strongly to threats. Learning how to boost or adjust these cells could lead to new treatments for infections, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer.
This breakthrough shows that MAIT cells could become a powerful tool for future therapies, helping us use the immune system in smarter and more precise ways to improve health.
The study was conducted by Dr. André Veillette's team at the IRCM in collaboration with Dr. Yan Lu's team in China.
This work is published in the Journal of Experimental Medecine.
