Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-22-2018

JAX Source

Nat Commun 2018 Oct 22; 9(1):4369

Volume

9

Issue

1

First Page

4369

Last Page

4369

ISSN

2041-1723

PMID

30348969

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06686-0

Abstract

Follicular helper T (TFH) cells are expanded in systemic lupus erythematosus, where they are required to produce high affinity autoantibodies. Eliminating TFH cells would, however compromise the production of protective antibodies against viral and bacterial pathogens. Here we show that inhibiting glucose metabolism results in a drastic reduction of the frequency and number of TFH cells in lupus-prone mice. However, this inhibition has little effect on the production of T-cell-dependent antibodies following immunization with an exogenous antigen or on the frequency of virus-specific TFH cells induced by infection with influenza. In contrast, glutaminolysis inhibition reduces both immunization-induced and autoimmune TFH cells and humoral responses. Solute transporter gene signature suggests different glucose and amino acid fluxes between autoimmune TFH cells and exogenous antigen-specific TFH cells. Thus, blocking glucose metabolism may provide an effective therapeutic approach to treat systemic autoimmunity by eliminating autoreactive TFH cells while preserving protective immunity against pathogens.

Comments

This open access article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Download

Share

COinS