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• DCs with different Th cell-polarizing properties have distinct metabolic profiles. • Metabolic regulators mTOR, AMPK, and PPAR-γ play key roles in Th cell polarization by DCs. • Targeting specific metabolic pathways in DCs alters their Th cell-polarizing properties. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in the priming and differentiation of CD4+ T cells into several distinct subsets including effector T helper (Th) 1, Th17 and Th2 cells, as well as regulatory T cells (Tregs). It is becoming increasingly clear that cellular metabolism shapes the functional properties of DCs. Specifically, the ability of DCs to drive polarization of different Th cell subsets may be orchestrated by the engagement of distinct metabolic pathways. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances in the DC metabolism field, by focusing on how cellular metabolism of DCs shapes their priming and polarization of distinct Th cell responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endocannabinoid system is an important player in energy metabolism by regulating appetite, lipolysis, and energy expenditure. Chronic blockade of the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) leads to long-term maintenance of weight loss and reduction of dyslipidemia in experimental and human obesity. The molecular mechanism by which CB1R blockade reverses dyslipidemia in obesity has not yet been clarified. In this study, we showed that CB1R blockade with the systemic CB1R blocker rimonabant enhanced whole-body energy expenditure and activated brown adipose tissue (BAT), indicated by increased expression of genes involved in BAT thermogenesis and decreased lipid droplet size in BAT. This was accompanied by selectively increased triglyceride (TG) uptake by BAT and lower plasma TG levels. Interestingly, the effects on BAT activation were still present at thermoneutrality and could be recapitulated by using the strictly peripheral CB1R antagonist AM6545, indicating direct peripheral activation of BAT. Indeed, CB1R blockade directly activated T37i brown adipocytes, resulting in enhanced uncoupled respiration, most likely via enhancing cAMP/PKA signaling via the adrenergic receptor pathway. Our data indicate that selective targeting of the peripheral CB1R in BAT has therapeutic potential in attenuating dyslipidemia and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a key regulator of cellular metabolism, affects dendritic cell (DC) metabolism and T cell-priming capacity has primarily been investigated in vitro , but how mTORC1 regulates this in vivo remains poorly defined. Here, using mice deficient for mTORC1 component raptor in DCs, we find that loss of mTORC1 negatively affects glycolytic and fatty acid metabolism and maturation of conventional DCs, particularly cDC1s. Nonetheless, antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses to infection are not compromised and are even enhanced following skin immunization. This is associated with increased activation of Langerhans cells and a subpopulation of EpCAM-expressing cDC1s, of which the latter show an increased physical interaction with CD8+ T cells in situ. Together, this work reveals that mTORC1 limits CD8+ T cell priming in vivo by differentially orchestrating the metabolism and immunogenicity of distinct antigen-presenting cell subsets, which may have implications for clinical use of mTOR inhibitors. [Display omitted] • mTORC1 regulates DC metabolism and activation in a DC subset-specific manner • Cross-presentation by cDC1s is supported by mTORC1 signaling • CD8+ T cell priming following immunization is enhanced in CD11cΔraptor mice • This is associated with accumulation of an immunogenic EpCAM+ cDC1 subpopulation How mTORC1 regulates dendritic cell (DC) biology in vivo is unclear. Pelgrom et al. demonstrate that DC-specific mTORC1 deficiency potentiates immunization-induced CD8+ T cell responses. This is linked to alterations in DC metabolism and increased immunogenicity of an EpCAM+ cDC1 subpopulation. Thus, targeting mTORC1 may help to boost vaccination responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]