Key takeaway:
Exogenous AcAc boosts anti-tumor MAIT cells by generating 5-OP-RU. This highlights a novel AcAc-MR1-MAIT axis with translational potential for CRC. (9/10)

MR1 presents metabolites to MAITs and its expression is regulated by antigen, so: does AcAc affect MR1 expression?
Yes! AcAc increased surface MR1 in both human PBMCs and mouse tumors, especially on monocytes- hinting they’re key in activating MAITs. (6/10)

scRNA-seq & flow cytometry showed AcAc increases tumor MAIT cells and enhances their expression of cytotoxic effectors like IFNg and granzyme B.
Crucially, the anti-tumor effect was lost in mice lacking MAIT cells, showing they are essential for the anti-tumor effects. (4/10)

Oral AcAc is rarely studied, partly because it’s so unstable.
We solved this by giving esterified AcAc (EAA) in drinking water, which increased AcAc levels. Strikingly, EAA reduced tumor burden in multiple colorectal cancer models. (3/10)