Sugars and fat – A healthy way to generate functional regulatory T cells

Abstract

Cellular metabolism has emerged as an important regulator of adaptive immunity. While the metabolic requirements of conventional T cells are increasingly understood, the role of cellular metabolism in Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is less clear. Although it is well accepted that repression of Akt/mTOR, HIF-1α and aerobic glycolysis are important for the efficient generation of Treg cells in vitro, clear evidence how these pathways impact on Treg-cell development in vivo is limited. Furthermore, newer studies have shown that the same pathways that appear to suppress Treg-cell development are active in and required for functionally mature Treg cells. Thus, it becomes increasingly evident th..