Human MAIT cells endowed with HBV specificity are cytotoxic and migrate towards HBV-HCC while retaining antimicrobial functions

•Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells expanded in vitro can be engineered to kill HBV antigen-presenting hepatoma cells.•MAIT cells produce IL-17A upon encountering their HBV targets, a functional property not observed in conventional T cells currently used in immunotherapy.•HBV-specific MAIT cells migrate readily towards liver targets in a 3D microfluidics system.•Co-expression of an HBV-specific TCR does not affect the ability of MAIT cells to respond to their physiological stimuli.