Angry, Hungry T-Cells: How Are T-Cell Responses Induced in Low Nutrient Conditions?

Abstract

Upon activation, T-cells increase the uptake of glucose and glutamine to build the constituents of proliferating effectors. However, tumor and infected cells compete for the same nutrients. Several observations are consistently indicating that activated T-cells overcome this situation by engaging catabolic pathways. Here I discuss how these observations are reconciled with T-cells’ need of anabolic processes during activation.