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NK cell metabolism

Natural killer loops: pyruvate in, lactate out

Nature Metabolism volume 7, pages 239–241 (2025)Cite this article

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Resting human CD56Dim natural killer cells utilize exogenous pyruvate to support energy metabolism. A new study shows that these cells take up exogenous pyruvate, which regenerates cytosolic NAD+ via metabolism to lactate to support glycolysis and fuels oxidative phosphorylation via the mitochondrial citrate–malate shuttle.

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Fig. 1: Metabolic configurations and glucose metabolism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Cathal Keane & David K. Finlay

  2. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    David K. Finlay

Authors
  1. Cathal Keane
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  2. David K. Finlay
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Correspondence to David K. Finlay.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Keane, C., Finlay, D.K. Natural killer loops: pyruvate in, lactate out. Nat Metab 7, 239–241 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-01195-5

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