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Liver transplant-facilitated CD161+Vα7.2+ MAIT cell recovery demonstrates clinical benefits in hepatic failure patients

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Wang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Chen Dai

    (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Research Center of Hubei Province)

  • Peng Zhu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Mi Wu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Haoquan Zhang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Qing Wei

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Ting Zhou

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Xiaosheng Tan

    (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Research Center of Hubei Province)

  • Ying Jiang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Xue Cheng

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhihui Liang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Xiongwen Wu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhishui Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Research Center of Hubei Province)

  • Xiufang Weng

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Research Center of Hubei Province
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells exert multifaceted effects such as anti-microbial activity, tissue repair, and pro-fibrotic effects across various disease settings. Nonetheless, their role in liver injury and hemostasis remains debated. Here, we report a significant depletion and functional dysregulation of MAIT cells, which is associated with disease severity and accumulated bile acids in HBV-infected patients with varying degree of liver injury. Liver transplantation facilitates a gradual recovery of recipient-originated MAIT cells. Transcriptome analysis reveals enhanced MAIT cell activation, while TCR mining demonstrates clonotype overlap between circulating and hepatic MAIT cells during significant liver injury. TCR-activated MAIT cells from transplant recipients display higher protective capacity but reduced pathological potential than those from liver failure patients. Compromised recovery of MAIT cells is linked to post-transplantation complications, whereas prompt recovery predicates favorable clinical outcome. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between MAIT cells and the hepatic environment, highlighting MAIT cells as potential therapeutic targets and sensitive predictors for clinical outcome in individuals experiencing liver failure and post liver transplantation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Wang & Chen Dai & Peng Zhu & Mi Wu & Haoquan Zhang & Qing Wei & Ting Zhou & Xiaosheng Tan & Ying Jiang & Xue Cheng & Zhihui Liang & Xiongwen Wu & Zhishui Chen & Xiufang Weng, 2025. "Liver transplant-facilitated CD161+Vα7.2+ MAIT cell recovery demonstrates clinical benefits in hepatic failure patients," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59308-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59308-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lars Kjer-Nielsen & Onisha Patel & Alexandra J. Corbett & Jérôme Le Nours & Bronwyn Meehan & Ligong Liu & Mugdha Bhati & Zhenjun Chen & Lyudmila Kostenko & Rangsima Reantragoon & Nicholas A. Williamso, 2012. "MR1 presents microbial vitamin B metabolites to MAIT cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 491(7426), pages 717-723, November.
    2. Pushpa Hegde & Emmanuel Weiss & Valérie Paradis & Jinghong Wan & Morgane Mabire & Sukriti Sukriti & Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou & Miguel Albuquerque & Olivia Picq & Abhishak Chandra Gupta & Gladys Ferrere , 2018. "Mucosal-associated invariant T cells are a profibrogenic immune cell population in the liver," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Bonnie van Wilgenburg & Iris Scherwitzl & Edward C. Hutchinson & Tianqi Leng & Ayako Kurioka & Corinna Kulicke & Catherine de Lara & Suzanne Cole & Sirijitt Vasanawathana & Wannee Limpitikul & Prida M, 2016. "MAIT cells are activated during human viral infections," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, September.
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