Cutting Edge: TGF-β and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signals Modulate Distinct Metabolism of Regulatory T Cell Subsets.

ABSTRACT: Murine Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiated in vitro (induced Tregs [iTregs]) in the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β rely predominantly upon lipid oxidation to fuel mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Foxp3 expression underlies this metabolic preference, as it suppresses glycolysis and drives oxidative phosphorylation. In this study, we show that in contrast to iTregs, thymic-derived Tregs (tTregs), engage in glycolysis and glutaminolysis at levels comparable to effector T cells despite maintained Foxp3 expression. Interestingly, exposure of tTregs to the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β represses PI3K-mediated mTOR signaling, inhibits glucose transporter and Hk2 expression, and reprograms their metabolism to favor oxidative phosphorylation.

SUBMITTER: Priyadharshini B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6179917 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature