You are what you eat: autophagy guides CD8⁺ T cell function through metabolism

The differentiation of naive CD8⁺ T cells into effector or memory populations requires dynamic remodeling of cellular metabolism and proteome composition. In a recent study published in Nature Immunology, Sinclair et al offer critical insights into the role of autophagy, particularly mitophagy, in regulating these processes during CD8⁺ T cell differentiation. Autophagy, a conserved catabolic mechanism, is traditionally associated with cellular homeostasis and survival during nutrient deprivation. In contrast, Sinclair et al reveal that, in the immune system, autophagy is not simply a survival mechanism but a fine-tuned regulator of CD8⁺ T cell metabolism and function, fine-tuning CD8⁺ T cell effector vs quiescence choices.