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. 2018 Feb 10;96(6):630–641. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12008

Figure 2.

Figure 2

A cartoon illustrating the activation of MAIT cells by viruses. Viruses signal via PRRs to stimulate the production of cytokines. Other signals may also be involved. The exact blend of cytokines involved and the kinetics of their release varies between individual viruses and also between different APCs. Cytokines may activate MAIT cells directly via their cytokine receptors (e.g. IL‐12 and IL‐18) or indirectly through stimulating the release of other cytokines (e.g. IL‐15). Cytokine‐activated MAIT cells may have antiviral functions (possibly including cytotoxicity, although that is yet to be demonstrated), enhance inflammation and proliferate. In chronic viral infections, cytokine‐activated MAIT cells may also undergo activation‐induced cell death.