Metabolic switch: lymphocytes and the onset of T-cell-mediated autoimmunity.

Metabolic reprogramming in lymphocytes, including increased glycolysis and mitochondrial dysfunction, drives T-cell-mediated autoimmunity in diseases like MS, RA, and T1D.

• Why it matters: Understanding how metabolic pathways influence immune cell behavior is crucial because metabolic dysregulation underpins the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, yet remains poorly targeted therapeutically.
• What they did: The review examines how alterations in glucose, lipid, and mitochondrial metabolism regulate T and B cell activation and differentiation, highlighting common features such as enhanced glycolysis and mTOR signaling across autoimmune conditions.
• The result: Recognizing immunometabolic pathways as key mechanisms offers new opportunities for precision therapies, though challenges in cell-specific targeting and toxicity must be addressed to translate these insights into effective treatments.