Cellular metabolism dictates T cell effector function in health and disease

Abstract

In a healthy person, metabolically quiescent T lymphocytes (T cells) circulate between lymph nodes and peripheral tissues in search of antigens. Upon infection, some T cells will encounter cognate antigens followed by proliferation and clonal expansion in a context-dependent manner, to become effector T cells. These events are accompanied by changes in cellular metabolism, known as metabolic reprogramming. The magnitude and variation of metabolic reprogramming are, in addition to antigens, dependent on factors such as nutrients and oxygen to ensure host survival during various diseases. Herein, we describe how metabolic programmes define T cell subset identity and effector functions. In addition, we will discuss how metabolic programs can be modulated and affect T cell activity in health and disease using cancer and autoimmunity as examples.

Keywords: T cell activation; autoimmunity; cancer; immune cell metabolism.