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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Measuring Mitochondrial Function of Naïve and Effector CD8 T Cells
Published on: March 28, 2025
Regulatory T cells as metabolic sensors
Paola de Candia1, Claudio Procaccini2, Claudia Russo3
1Treg Cell Lab, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
Compelling experimental evidence links immunity and metabolism. In this perspective, we propose forkhead-box-P3 (FoxP3)+CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells as key metabolic sensors controlling the immunological state in response to their intrinsic capacity to perceive nutritional changes. Treg cell high anabolic state in vivo, residency in metabolically crucial districts, and recirculation between lymphoid and non-lymphoid sites enable them to recognize the metabolic cues and adapt their intracellular metabolism and anti-inflammatory function at the paracrine and systemic levels. As privileged regulators at the interface between neuroendocrine and immune systems, the role of Treg cells in maintaining metabolic homeostasis makes these cells promising targets of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring organismal homeostasis not only in autoimmune but also metabolic disorders.
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