Metabolic traits of T cells and the implications in autoimmune diseases

The metabolic activities of T cells play a pivotal role in regulating their activation, differentiation, and effector functions. In recent years, it has emerged as a key focus of research in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and the modulation of inflammatory responses. T cells not only rely on metabolic reprogramming to meet their energy and biosynthesis demands, but also utilize intermediate metabolites to regulate epigenetic modifications and then affect gene expression and cell fate. More importantly, T cell metabolism faces adaptive pressures in tissue-specific microenvironments, which impact their effector capabilities and participate in immune tolerance maintenance. Currently, traditional immunosuppressive therapy still has limitations in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, with notable side effects. Meanwhile, targeting T cell metabolism, as an emerging strategy for intervening in autoimmune responses, has demonstrated promising potential in multiple research studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the metabolic characteristics of T cells at different developmental stages and functional states, explores the interactive mechanisms between metabolism and epigenetic regulation in T cells, and discusses the influence of tissue microenvironments on T cell metabolic behavior. Finally, we highlighted recent advancements in targeting T cell metabolism for treating systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis. This provides new directions for developing precise clinical intervention strategies for patients with autoimmune diseases.