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Published on: July 30, 2015
A modified model of T-cell differentiation based on mTOR activity and metabolism
Jonathan D Powell1, Emily B Heikamp2, Kristen N Pollizzi2
1Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231 poweljo@jhmi.edu.
Abstract:
Current models of T-helper-cell differentiation depict the generation of effector cells from a naïve T cell based on the cytokine environment upon T-cell-receptor engagement. We propose a new model of CD4(+) T-cell activation, differentiation, and function whereby the outcome of antigen recognition is dictated by mTOR activity and the subsequent up-regulation of selective metabolic function. Such a model more readily explains the generation of effector and memory cells including the concept of effector and memory Foxp3(+) regulatory cells.
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