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MAIT cells predict long-term prognosis in liver failure patients
Tiao-Chun Cheng1, Hong Xue2, Han Li1
1Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226006, Jiangsu Province, China.
Medicine
|August 31, 2022
Summary
Low levels of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells predict poor long-term prognosis in liver failure (LF) patients. MAIT cell proportion, combined with the MELD score, offers superior prediction of liver failure outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Prognostic Biomarkers
Background:
- Liver failure (LF) is a critical condition with high mortality, driven by systemic inflammation and gut bacterial translocation.
- Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are key players in immune responses and gut barrier integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MAIT cell ratio changes in liver failure patients.
- To evaluate the predictive value of MAIT cells for long-term liver failure prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 75 liver failure patients.
- Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
- Quantified circulating MAIT cell proportion using flow cytometry and statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- MAIT cell proportion alterations were independent of viral infection causes in LF.
- Low MAIT cell levels correlated with poor long-term prognosis in LF patients.
- MAIT cell proportion showed superior predictive ability compared to MELD score, with combined use yielding AUC of 0.91.
Conclusions:
- MAIT cell proportion in PBMCs is a significant predictor of long-term prognosis in liver failure.
- MAIT cell levels serve as an independent risk factor for liver failure outcomes.
