Glutamine metabolism drives B cell proliferation under elevated atmospheric pressure

Mechanical forces are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of immune cell function; however, the effects of static pressure on B cell biology remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how elevated atmospheric pressure influences B cell proliferation and metabolism. Using murine and human B cell lines cultured under normal or elevated static pressure, we found that increased pressure significantly enhances and sustains long-term B cell proliferation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a downregulation of glycolytic pathways, corroborated by decreased glucose consumption. In contrast, glutamine consumption was elevated, indicating a metabolic shift toward glutaminolysis. Functional assays confirmed that both glutamine availability and glutaminase activity are essential for the pressure-induced proliferative response. These findings identify glutamine metabolism as a key mediator of B cell adaptation to mechanical pressure and suggest that static pressure is a previously underappreciated regulator of B cell function and immune metabolism.