title: Regulatory T cells, mTOR kinase, and metabolic activity.
abstract: The field that links immunity and metabolism is rapidly expanding. Apparently, non-immunological disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes have been linked to immune dysregulation, suggesting that metabolic alterations can be induced by or be a consequence of an altered self-immune tolerance. In this context, a key role is played by signaling systems acting as metabolic "sensors" linking energy/nutritional status to regulatory T (Treg) cell functions. We propose that a dynamic/oscillatory activity of intracellular metabolism, through mTOR modulation, might represent a shift in understanding the molecular mechanisms governing Treg cell tolerance. In particular, the decision between Treg cell proliferation and hyporesponsiveness arises from their ability to probe the extracellular milieu and, modulating the metabolic intracellular signaling, to determine different qualitative and quantitative functional outcomes.
authors: Dipartimento di Medicina, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Salerno, Baronissi Campus, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Procaccini
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Matarese
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017634:Self Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C546842:MTOR protein, human; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases