The field of mucosal-associated invariant T cell (MAIT) biology has grown rapidly since the identification of the vitamin-B-based antigens recognised by these specialised T cells. Over the past few years, our understanding of the complexities of MAIT cell function has developed, as they find their place among the other better known cells of the immune system. Key questions relate to understanding when MAIT cells help, when they hinder or cause harm, and when they do not matter. Exploiting mouse strains that differ in MAIT cell numbers, leveraged by specific detection of MAIT cells using MR1-tetramers, it has now been shown that MAIT cells play important immune roles in settings that include bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. We have also learnt much about their development, modes of activation and response to commensal microbiota, and begun to try ways to manipulate MAIT cells to improve disease outcomes. Here we review recent studies that have assessed MAIT cells in models of disease.

自从鉴定出由这些特殊 T 细胞识别的基于维生素 B 的抗原以来，粘膜相关不变 T 细胞 (MAIT) 生物学领域发展迅速。在过去的几年里，我们对 MAIT 细胞功能复杂性的理解不断加深，因为它们在免疫系统中其他更知名的细胞中找到了自己的位置。关键问题涉及了解 MAIT 细胞何时提供帮助、何时阻碍或造成伤害以及何时无关紧要。利用 MAIT 细胞数量不同的小鼠品系，并通过使用 MR1 四聚体对 MAIT 细胞进行特异性检测，现已证明 MAIT 细胞在细菌和病毒感染、自身免疫性疾病和癌症等环境中发挥着重要的免疫作用。我们还了解了很多关于它们的发育、激活模式和对共生微生物群的反应的知识，并开始尝试操纵 MAIT 细胞来改善疾病结果的方法。在这里，我们回顾了最近在疾病模型中评估 MAIT 细胞的研究。