Metabolic signaling in T cells

Abstract

The maintenance of organismal homeostasis requires partitioning and transport of biochemical molecules between organ systems, their composite cells, and subcellular organelles. Although transcriptional programming undeniably defines the functional state of cells and tissues, underlying biochemical networks are intricately intertwined with transcriptional, translational, and post-translational regulation. Studies of the metabolic regulation of immunity have elegantly illustrated this phenomenon. The cells of the immune system interface with a diverse set of environmental conditions. Circulating immune cells perfuse peripheral organs in the blood and lymph, patrolling for pathogen invasion. Resident immune cells remain in tissues and play more newly appreciated roles in tissue homeostasis and immunity. Each of these cell populations interacts with unique and dynamic tissue environments, which vary greatly in biochemical composition. Furthermore, the effector response of immune cells to a diverse set of activating cues requires unique cellular adaptations to supply the requisite biochemical landscape. In this review, we examine the role of spatial partitioning of metabolic processes in immune function. We focus on studies of lymphocyte metabolism, with reference to the greater immunometabolism literature when appropriate to illustrate this concept.

Packed red blood cells inhibit T-cell activation via ROS-dependent signaling pathways

“…, availability of carbohydrates, lipids, or amino acids) and on local concentrations of small molecules, electrolytes, oxygen, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, the alteration of metabolism offers multiple targets for intervention of T-cell responses ( 2 , 3 , 4 ). In this context, T-cells may also serve as a model to improve our knowledge of cell activation, proliferation, apoptosis, and survival ( 5 , 6 , 7 ).…”

Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress, cAMP Signalling and Apoptosis: A Crossroads in Lymphocytes of Multiple Sclerosis, a Possible Role of Nutraceutics

“…Proliferating T cells need more ATP for enhanced activity and acquire anabolic capacity to sustain the growth. Also, the most dramatic change in T cell metabolism, upon activation, is a marked increase in glucose metabolism through the increase localization of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) to the plasma membrane and the enhance of glycolytic enzyme activities [ 20 , 32 ]. Activated T cells take up large amounts of glucose associated with lactate production.…”

Amino Acid Metabolism in Lupus

“…Furthermore, amino acids are also critical for the biosynthesis of nucleotides ( 13 ). It has been documented that some amino acids such as leucine, methionine, glutamine, arginine, and alanine, are more essential than other amino acids during T cell activation and expansion or in determining distinct T cell fates ( 14 , 15 ). The importance of glycolysis, and fatty acid oxidation/synthesis in lupus T cells has been extensively reviewed elsewhere ( 8 – 10 , 16 – 18 ).…”