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The mammalian target of rapamycin: linking T cell differentiation, function, and metabolism

Jonathan D Powell1, Greg M Delgoffe

  • 1Sidney-Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.

Immunity
|September 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates immune signals to control T cell activation and differentiation. This highlights a crucial link between T cell metabolism and immune function.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Metabolic Signaling

Background:

  • T cell activation relies on integrating signals within the immune microenvironment.
  • The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of cellular responses to environmental cues like nutrients and growth factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the role of mTOR in T cell activation and differentiation.
  • To highlight the connection between T cell metabolism and function as mediated by mTOR.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on mTOR signaling in T cells.
  • Analysis of mTOR's role in interpreting immune microenvironment signals.

Main Results:

  • mTOR directs the generation of CD4+ effector versus regulatory T cells.
  • mTOR influences the development of CD8+ effector versus memory T cells.
  • mTOR regulates T cell trafficking and the balance between activation and anergy.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR acts as a central integrator of environmental signals within T cells.
  • mTOR establishes a direct link between T cell metabolism and diverse T cell functions.

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