Figure 2

Metabolomic changes in T lymphocytes. Several metabolic changes in T cells that participate in the inflammatory process are needed to obtain polarization and activation. In T cells, metabolism is dramatically altered to support the specific needs and functions of each cell state. One of the major characteristics is the flexibility in metabolism modifications with a direct regulation of metabolic pathways by cell-extrinsic signals that drive T-cell survival, growth and proliferation. During inflammation, the function of Treg and effector T cells is subvert, resulting in the production of proinflammatory cytokines. These mechanisms have important implications for the development of cellular therapies: Treg cells can be therapeutically manipulated to enhance their function and cellular metabolism can be modified by drugs. In this context, if metabolism fails to match the demands of the cell, cell function is impaired, or cells can undergo apoptosis. Conversely, excess metabolism may prevent apoptosis, exacerbate cell function, and thus promote T-cell hyper-reactivity, and lead to autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases.^{26, 29} TGFβ: transforming growth factor-β; STAT3: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; HIF-1α: hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; RORγt: retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor-γt; TRAF6: TNF receptor-associated factor 6