# Functions of mucosal associated invariant T cells in eye diseases

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how MAIT cells help protect the eye from autoimmune diseases by regulating immune responses.

## Contribution

The paper highlights new insights into the protective role of MAIT cells in eye immunity and their TCR-mediated activation.

## Key findings

- MAIT cells contribute to visual protection against autoimmunity in the eye.
- MAIT cell functions are induced by TCR-mediated activation.
- The mechanisms behind MAIT cell-mediated immune regulation in the eye remain unclear.

## Abstract

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a unique subset of T cells that recognizes metabolites derived from the vitamin B2 biosynthetic pathway. Since the identification of cognate antigens for MAIT cells, knowledge of the functions of MAIT cells in cancer, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases has been rapidly expanding. Recently, MAIT cells have been found to contribute to visual protection against autoimmunity in the eye. The protective functions of MAIT cells are induced by T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, this mini-review aims to discuss our findings and the complexity of MAIT cell-mediated immune regulation in the eye.