MAIT Cells in COVID-19: Heroes, Villains, or Both?

    January 2020 in “ Critical Reviews in Immunology ”
    S. M. Mansour Haeryfar
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    TLDR MAIT cells may help fight COVID-19 but also contribute to severe inflammation.
    In 2020, the document "MAIT Cells in COVID-19: Heroes, Villains, or Both?" explored the role of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells in COVID-19. MAIT cells, a type of immune cell, were suggested to have a dual role in COVID-19, contributing to the immune response against the virus and potentially to the excessive inflammatory response seen in severe cases. The document also discussed the activation of MAIT cells in a TCR-independent manner by IL-12 and IL-18, cytokines elevated in severe COVID-19. However, it was noted that MAIT cells could become functionally impaired in chronic viral infections, potentially limiting their effectiveness in combating COVID-19.
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