Rapid glycolytic metabolism underpins mucosal-associated invariant T cell functional responses to innate cytokines

E Eimear K Ryan (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) B Benjamin J Jenkins (Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School , Swansea,) R Ronan Bergin (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) R Rafael E Salazar (Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee,) C Cian Davis (St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin , Dublin,) N Nidhi Kedia-Mehta (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) A Ali Amini L Lucy C Garner (Translational Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford , Oxford,) C Ciara Flynn (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) S Sinéad Ryan (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) I Iain Perry (Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School , Swansea,) J Joanne C Masterson (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) H Helen Heneghan (St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin , Dublin,) P Paul N Moynagh (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,) K Kirby N Swatek (Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee,) P Paul Klenerman (Translational Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom) N Nicholas Jones L Linda V Sinclair (Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee,) D Donal O’Shea (St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin , Dublin,) A Andrew E Hogan (Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,)

Abstract

Abstract Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes bacterial-derived antigens presented on MR1. Upon TCR triggering, MAIT cells respond rapidly, producing a range of effector molecules which facilitate host-protective responses in the context of microbial infections. In contrast, MAIT cell responses to viral infection are instead triggered by the recognition of cytokines, and occur independently of TCR engagement. The molecular and metabolic regulation of MAIT cell TCR responses is rapidly emerging, but there is a paucity of data on cytokine driven responses. Here, using high-resolution, quantitative proteomic analysis, we map the downstream proteome of innate cytokine (IL-18/IFNα)–activated MAIT cells, highlighting robust cytokine-driven remodeling and a signature that is distinct from the TCR-driven response. MAIT cells significantly increase protein biosynthesis in response to innate cytokine stimulation and rapidly upregulate the production of IFNγ, granzyme B, and IFN-stimulated gene 15. We demonstrate the metabolic kinetics of MAIT cell responses to cytokine stimulation and highlight a rapid but transient glycolytic burst that is uncoupled from mitochondrial remodeling and contrasts the robust metabolic profile elicited downstream of TCR engagement. Finally, we demonstrate differential contributions from both glycogen and glucose in supporting MAIT cell responses to innate cytokines and further highlight the importance of nutrient availability as a governing signal for MAIT cell fitness and effector functioning.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 215, Issue 8
Published August 04, 2026
ISSN 0022-1767
Publisher American Association of Immunologists

Authors (20)

E

Eimear K Ryan

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

B

Benjamin J Jenkins

Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School , Swansea,

R

Ronan Bergin

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

R

Rafael E Salazar

Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee,

C

Cian Davis

St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin , Dublin,

N

Nidhi Kedia-Mehta

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

A

Ali Amini

L

Lucy C Garner

Translational Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford , Oxford,

C

Ciara Flynn

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

S

Sinéad Ryan

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

I

Iain Perry

Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School , Swansea,

J

Joanne C Masterson

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

H

Helen Heneghan

St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin , Dublin,

P

Paul N Moynagh

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,

K

Kirby N Swatek

Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee,

P

Paul Klenerman

Translational Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

N

Nicholas Jones

L

Linda V Sinclair

Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee,

D

Donal O’Shea

St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin , Dublin,

A

Andrew E Hogan

Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University , Maynooth, County Kildare,