Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 27, 2026

An Optimized Protocol to Analyze Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Respiration in Lymphocytes
08:40

An Optimized Protocol to Analyze Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Respiration in Lymphocytes

Published on: November 21, 2016

Lymphocyte selection by starvation: glucose metabolism and cell death

Sarah R Jacobs1, Jeffrey C Rathmell

  • 1Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Trends in Immunology
|November 23, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The Notch signaling pathway regulates thymocyte glucose metabolism during T cell development. This metabolic control influences cell death pathways crucial for T lymphocyte selection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Regulation

Background:

  • The Notch signaling pathway plays a critical role in T lymphocyte development and selection within the thymus.
  • Cell metabolism is intrinsically linked to cell survival and death pathways.
  • Thymocyte development involves intricate regulatory mechanisms controlling metabolic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the Notch signaling pathway in regulating thymocyte glucose metabolism during beta-selection.
  • To understand how metabolic changes in thymocytes impact cell death pathways.
  • To elucidate the significance of glucose metabolism control in T lymphocyte development.

Main Methods:

  • The study focuses on the findings by Ciaofani and Zúñiga-Pflücker regarding Notch signaling.
  • Analysis of thymocyte glucose metabolism during the beta-selection stage.
  • Examination of the interplay between metabolic changes and cell death regulation.

Main Results:

  • Notch signaling is demonstrated to be important in regulating thymocyte glucose metabolism.
  • Alterations in glucose metabolism are shown to affect cell death pathways.
  • Metabolic control is crucial for the proper development and selection of T lymphocytes.

Conclusions:

  • The Notch signaling pathway is a key regulator of thymocyte metabolism during T cell development.
  • Metabolic reprogramming of thymocytes influences their survival and selection.
  • Understanding these metabolic checkpoints is vital for comprehending T lymphocyte homeostasis and potential therapeutic interventions.

More Related Videos

The Lactate Dehydrogenase Sequestration Assay — A Simple and Reliable Method to Determine Bulk Autophagic Sequestration Activity in Mammalian Cells09:34

The Lactate Dehydrogenase Sequestration Assay — A Simple and Reliable Method to Determine Bulk Autophagic Sequestration Activity in Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 27, 2018

Measuring Mitochondrial Function of Naïve and Effector CD8 T Cells06:07

Measuring Mitochondrial Function of Naïve and Effector CD8 T Cells

Published on: March 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State01:18

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...