Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

08:02
In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction
Published on: January 22, 2020
Triggering the succinate receptor GPR91 on dendritic cells enhances immunity
Tina Rubic1, Günther Lametschwandtner, Sandra Jost
1Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Vienna A-1235, Austria.
Nature Immunology
|September 30, 2008
Summary
Succinate, a cellular respiration metabolite, signals through GPR91. This receptor on dendritic cells links metabolism to immunity, impacting T cell responses and transplant rejection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolism
- Cellular Signaling
Background:
- Succinate functions as an extracellular signaling molecule via the G protein-coupled receptor GPR91.
- Dendritic cells exhibit high expression levels of GPR91.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of succinate and its receptor GPR91 in immune responses.
- To explore the link between cellular metabolism and immune cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Assessed GPR91 expression in dendritic cells.
- Stimulated cells with succinate and measured calcium mobilization, migration, and cytokine production.
- Evaluated T cell activation and immune responses in GPR91-deficient mice.
- Analyzed transplant rejection in GPR91-deficient allografts.
Main Results:
- Succinate triggered calcium mobilization and migration in dendritic cells expressing GPR91.
- Succinate synergized with Toll-like receptor ligands to promote pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
- Succinate enhanced antigen-specific helper T cell activation.
- GPR91 deficiency led to reduced Langerhans cell migration and impaired T cell recall responses.
- GPR91-deficient allografts showed reduced transplant rejection.
Conclusions:
- The succinate receptor GPR91 is crucial for sensing immunological danger.
- GPR91 establishes a critical link between cellular respiration metabolites and immune system function.
- Targeting the succinate-GPR91 axis may offer therapeutic strategies for immune modulation.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
GPCR Desensitization
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling plays a crucial role in cell functioning. GPCR desensitization is an equally essential process. It allows cells to respond to changing environments and regain sensitivity to new stimuli while preventing unnecessary stimulation when no longer needed. Prolonged exposure to stimuli leads to GPCR desensitization. It involves blocking the receptors from binding and activating additional G proteins. This inhibits activation of downstream effectors, thereby...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...

