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

Alterations in glycolysis, mitochondrial function, and mTOR signaling in lymphocytes are linked to the development of T-cell-mediated autoimmunity in diseases like MS, RA, and T1D.

• Why it matters: Autoimmune diseases involve not only immune dysregulation but also metabolic reprogramming of lymphocytes, which may underlie disease onset and progression, highlighting a need for targeted therapies.
• What they did: The review discusses how changes in glucose, lipid, and mitochondrial metabolism influence T and B cell activation and differentiation, emphasizing pathways like glycolysis, mitochondrial function, and mTOR signaling across multiple autoimmune conditions.
• The result: Understanding immunometabolic dysregulation offers potential for precision immunotherapy, although challenges remain in targeting these pathways specifically without systemic toxicity.