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After infection of B cells, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) engages host pathways that mediate cell proliferation and transformation, contributing to the propensity of the virus to drive immune dysregulation and lymphomagenesis. We found that the EBV protein EBNA2 initiates nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) de novo biosynthesis by driving expression of the metabolic enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in infected B cells. Virus-enforced NAD production sustained mitochondrial complex I activity, to match adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production with bioenergetic requirements of proliferation and transformation. In transplant patients, IDO1 expression in EBV-infected B cells, and a serum signature of increased IDO1 activity, preceded development of lymphoma. In humanized mice infected with EBV, IDO1 inhibition reduced both viremia and lymphomagenesis. Virus-orchestrated NAD biosynthesis is therefore a druggable metabolic vulnerability of EBV-driven B cell transformation, opening therapeutic possibilities for EBV-related diseases.

Elevated interleukin (IL)-1β levels, NLRP3 inflammasome activity, and systemic inflammation are hallmarks of chronic metabolic inflammatory syndromes, but the mechanistic basis for this is unclear. Here, we show that levels of plasma IL-1β are lower in fasting compared to fed subjects, while the lipid arachidonic acid (AA) is elevated. Lipid profiling of NLRP3-stimulated mouse macrophages shows enhanced AA production and an NLRP3-dependent eicosanoid signature. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decreases eicosanoid, but not AA, production. It also reduces both IL-1β and IL-18 production in response to NLRP3 activation. AA inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activity in human and mouse macrophages. Mechanistically, AA inhibits phospholipase C activity to reduce JNK1 stimulation and hence NLRP3 activity. These data show that AA is an important physiological regulator of the NLRP3 inflammasome and explains why fasting reduces systemic inflammation and also suggests a mechanism to explain how nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests C.E.B. is a co-founder of Danger Bio, on the scientific advisory board of Nodthera and Related Sciences, and is a consultant for Janssen., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Preserving cells in a functional, non-senescent state is a major goal for extending human healthspans. Model organisms reveal that longevity and senescence are genetically controlled, but how genes control longevity in different mammalian tissues is unknown. Here, we report a new human genetic disease that causes cell senescence, liver and immune dysfunction, and early mortality that results from deficiency of GIMAP5, an evolutionarily conserved GTPase selectively expressed in lymphocytes and endothelial cells. We show that GIMAP5 restricts the pathological accumulation of long-chain ceramides (CERs), thereby regulating longevity. GIMAP5 controls CER abundance by interacting with protein kinase CK2 (CK2), attenuating its ability to activate CER synthases. Inhibition of CK2 and CER synthase rescues GIMAP5-deficient T cells by preventing CER overaccumulation and cell deterioration. Thus, GIMAP5 controls longevity assurance pathways crucial for immune function and healthspan in mammals., (© 2024. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Background: Dysregulated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress are key pathogenic drivers of chronic inflammatory diseases such as liver cirrhosis (LC). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to prevent excessive immune activation and maintain tissue homeostasis. While inflammatory cues are well known to modulate the function and stability of Tregs, the extent to which Tregs are influenced by oxidative stress has not been fully explored., Methods: The phenotypic and functional properties of CD4 + CD25 + CD127 lo/- Tregs isolated from patients with LC were compared to healthy controls (HC). Treg redox state was investigated by characterizing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), NADPH oxidase-2 (Nox2) activity, mitochondrial function, morphology, and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) antioxidant signalling. The relevance of Nrf2 and its downstream target, Heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), in Treg function, stability, and survival, was further assessed using mouse models and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HO-1 knock-out., Findings: Circulating Tregs from LC patients displayed a reduced suppressive function, correlating with liver disease severity, associated with phenotypic abnormalities and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, this was linked to a dysregulated Nrf2 signalling with resultant lower levels of HO-1, enhanced Nox2 activation, and impaired mitochondrial respiration and integrity. The functional deficit in LC Tregs could be partially recapitulated by culturing control Tregs in patient sera., Interpretation: Our findings reveal that Tregs rely on functional redox homeostasis for their function, stability, and survival. Targeting Treg specific anti-oxidant pathways may have therapeutic potential to reverse the Treg impairment in conditions of oxidative damage such as advanced liver disease., Funding: This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust (211113/A/18/Z)., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests TV is currently employed by Janssen-Cilag Ltd (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) and owns Johnson & Johnson stock/stock options. GL, ASF and MML are Founders of Quell Therapeutics Ltd. MR and MML are employed by Quell Therapeutics Ltd. PN received funding from Novo Nordisk; is advisory board member and received consulting fees from Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, Intercept, Poxel Pharmaceuticals, BMS, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, Madrigal, GSK; speakers fees from Novo Nordisk, AiCME; and travel support from Novo Nordisk. The authors declare that the research in this manuscript was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Little is known about the effects of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on resident colonic lamina propria (LP) macrophages (LPMs) function and metabolism. Here, we report that obesity and diabetes resulted in increased macrophage infiltration in the colon. These macrophages exhibited the residency phenotype CX3CR1 hi MHCII hi and were CD4 - TIM4 - . During HFD, resident colonic LPM exhibited a lipid metabolism gene expression signature that overlapped that used to define lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs). Via single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified a sub-cluster of macrophages, increased in HFD, that were responsible for the LAM signature. Compared to other macrophages in the colon, these cells were characterized by elevated glycolysis, phagocytosis, and efferocytosis signatures. CX3CR1 hi MHCII hi colonic resident LPMs had fewer lipid droplets (LDs) and decreased triacylglycerol (TG) content compared to equivalent cells in lean mice and exhibited increased phagocytic capacity, suggesting that HFD induces adaptive responses in LPMs to limit bacterial translocation., Competing Interests: E.J.P. and E.L.P. declare that they are Founders of Rheos Medicines. E.L.P. is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Immunomet Therapeutics., (© 2023 The Authors.)

How lipidome changes support CD8 + effector T (T eff ) cell differentiation is not well understood. Here we show that, although naive T cells are rich in polyunsaturated phosphoinositides (PIP n with 3-4 double bonds), T eff cells have unique PIP n marked by saturated fatty acyl chains (0-2 double bonds). PIP n are precursors for second messengers. Polyunsaturated phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) exclusively supported signaling immediately upon T cell antigen receptor activation. In late T eff cells, activity of phospholipase C-γ1, the enzyme that cleaves PIP 2 into downstream mediators, waned, and saturated PIP n became essential for sustained signaling. Saturated PIP was more rapidly converted to PIP 2 with subsequent recruitment of phospholipase C-γ1, and loss of saturated PIP n impaired T eff cell fitness and function, even in cells with abundant polyunsaturated PIP n . Glucose was the substrate for de novo PIP n synthesis, and was rapidly utilized for saturated PIP 2 generation. Thus, separate PIP n pools with distinct acyl chain compositions and metabolic dependencies drive important signaling events to initiate and then sustain effector function during CD8+ T cell differentiation., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

Inhibition of the electron transport chain (ETC) prevents the regeneration of mitochondrial NAD + , resulting in cessation of the oxidative tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and a consequent dependence upon reductive carboxylation for aspartate synthesis. NAD + regeneration alone in the cytosol can rescue the viability of ETC-deficient cells. Yet, how this occurs and whether transfer of oxidative equivalents to the mitochondrion is required remain unknown. Here, we show that inhibition of the ETC drives reversal of the mitochondrial aspartate transaminase (GOT2) as well as malate and succinate dehydrogenases (MDH2 and SDH) to transfer oxidative NAD + equivalents into the mitochondrion. This supports the NAD + -dependent activity of the mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and thereby enables anaplerosis-the entry of glutamine-derived carbon into the TCA cycle and connected biosynthetic pathways. Thus, under impaired ETC function, the cytosolic redox state is communicated into the mitochondrion and acts as a rheostat to support GDH activity and cell viability., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests S.-M.F. has received funding from Alesta Therapeutics, Bayer AG, Merck, and Black Belt Therapeutics; has consulted for Fund+; and serves on the advisory board of Alesta Therapeutics and Molecular Cell., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Type 2 immunity is associated with adipose tissue (AT) homeostasis and infection with parasitic helminths, but whether AT participates in immunity to these parasites is unknown. We found that the fat content of mesenteric AT (mAT) declined in mice during infection with a gut-restricted helminth. This was associated with the accumulation of metabolically activated, interleukin-33 (IL-33), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing stromal cells. These cells shared transcriptional features, including the expression of Dpp4 and Pi16 , with multipotent progenitor cells (MPC) that have been identified in numerous tissues and are reported to be capable of differentiating into fibroblasts and adipocytes. Concomitantly, mAT became infiltrated with resident T helper 2 (T H 2) cells that responded to TSLP and IL-33 by producing stromal cell-stimulating cytokines, including transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ 1 ) and amphiregulin. These T H 2 cells expressed genes previously associated with type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), including Nmur1 , Calca , Klrg1 , and Arg1 , and persisted in mAT for at least 11 months after anthelmintic drug-mediated clearance of infection. We found that MPC and T H 2 cells localized to ECM-rich interstitial spaces that appeared shared between mesenteric lymph node, mAT, and intestine. Stromal cell expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the receptor for amphiregulin, was required for immunity to infection. Our findings point to the importance of MPC and T H 2 cell interactions within the interstitium in orchestrating AT remodeling and immunity to an intestinal infection.

CD4 + T cell differentiation requires metabolic reprogramming to fulfil the bioenergetic demands of proliferation and effector function, and enforce specific transcriptional programmes 1-3 . Mitochondrial membrane dynamics sustains mitochondrial processes 4 , including respiration and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolism 5 , but whether mitochondrial membrane remodelling orchestrates CD4 + T cell differentiation remains unclear. Here we show that unlike other CD4 + T cell subsets, T helper 17 (T H 17) cells have fused mitochondria with tight cristae. T cell-specific deletion of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), which regulates inner mitochondrial membrane fusion and cristae morphology 6 , revealed that T H 17 cells require OPA1 for its control of the TCA cycle, rather than respiration. OPA1 deletion amplifies glutamine oxidation, leading to impaired NADH/NAD + balance and accumulation of TCA cycle metabolites and 2-hydroxyglutarate-a metabolite that influences the epigenetic landscape 5,7 . Our multi-omics approach revealed that the serine/threonine kinase liver-associated kinase B1 (LKB1) couples mitochondrial function to cytokine expression in T H 17 cells by regulating TCA cycle metabolism and transcriptional remodelling. Mitochondrial membrane disruption activates LKB1, which restrains IL-17 expression. LKB1 deletion restores IL-17 expression in T H 17 cells with disrupted mitochondrial membranes, rectifying aberrant TCA cycle glutamine flux, balancing NADH/NAD + and preventing 2-hydroxyglutarate production from the promiscuous activity of the serine biosynthesis enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH). These findings identify OPA1 as a major determinant of T H 17 cell function, and uncover LKB1 as a sensor linking mitochondrial cues to effector programmes in T H 17 cells., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Necrosis of macrophages in the granuloma, the hallmark immunological structure of tuberculosis, is a major pathogenic event that increases host susceptibility. Through a zebrafish forward genetic screen, we identified the mTOR kinase, a master regulator of metabolism, as an early host resistance factor in tuberculosis. We found that mTOR complex 1 protects macrophages from mycobacterium-induced death by enabling infection-induced increases in mitochondrial energy metabolism fueled by glycolysis. These metabolic adaptations are required to prevent mitochondrial damage and death caused by the secreted mycobacterial virulence determinant ESAT-6. Thus, the host can effectively counter this early critical mycobacterial virulence mechanism simply by regulating energy metabolism, thereby allowing pathogen-specific immune mechanisms time to develop. Our findings may explain why Mycobacterium tuberculosis, albeit humanity's most lethal pathogen, is successful in only a minority of infected individuals., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests L.R. and E.L.P. are advisory board members for Cell. E.L.P. is a scientific advisory board member of ImmunoMet and a founder of Rheos Medicines. For the purpose of open access, the authors have applied for a CC BY public copyright license to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The MYC oncogene is a potent driver of growth and proliferation but also sensitises cells to apoptosis, which limits its oncogenic potential. MYC induces several biosynthetic programmes and primary cells overexpressing MYC are highly sensitive to glutamine withdrawal suggesting that MYC-induced sensitisation to apoptosis may be due to imbalance of metabolic/energetic supply and demand. Here we show that MYC elevates global transcription and translation, even in the absence of glutamine, revealing metabolic demand without corresponding supply. Glutamine withdrawal from MRC-5 fibroblasts depletes key tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites and, in combination with MYC activation, leads to AMP accumulation and nucleotide catabolism indicative of energetic stress. Further analyses reveal that glutamine supports viability through TCA cycle energetics rather than asparagine biosynthesis and that TCA cycle inhibition confers tumour suppression on MYC-driven lymphoma in vivo. In summary, glutamine supports the viability of MYC-overexpressing cells through an energetic rather than a biosynthetic mechanism., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Adipose tissue (AT) plays a central role in systemic metabolic homeostasis, but its function during bacterial infection remains unclear. Following subcutaneous bacterial infection, adipocytes surrounding draining lymph nodes initiated a transcriptional response indicative of stimulation with IFN-γ and a shift away from lipid metabolism toward an immunologic function. Natural killer (NK) and invariant NK T (iNKT) cells were identified as sources of infection-induced IFN-γ in perinodal AT (PAT). IFN-γ induced Nos2 expression in adipocytes through a process dependent on nuclear-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) sensing of live intracellular bacteria. iNOS expression was coupled to metabolic rewiring, inducing increased diversion of extracellular L-arginine through the arginosuccinate shunt and urea cycle to produce nitric oxide (NO), directly mediating bacterial clearance. In vivo, control of infection in adipocytes was dependent on adipocyte-intrinsic sensing of IFN-γ and expression of iNOS. Thus, adipocytes are licensed by innate lymphocytes to acquire anti-bacterial functions during infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests E.J.P. and E.L.P. are founders of Rheos Medicines. E.L.P. is an SAB member of ImmunoMet., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The analysis of cellular metabolism is attracting increasing interest. Glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation are intertwined with one another and dozens of other pathways to ultimately produce energy and maintain cellular fitness. However, cellular metabolism is much more than this. Metabolism underlies the proliferation, differentiation, and function of cells as well as the coordination of intercellular communication. Investigating metabolism allows the interpretation of cellular behavior in health and disease. In this article, we aim to demystify the complexity of cellular metabolism and explain the common approaches to study it. Whereas the analysis of cellular metabolism by western blot or flow cytometry might be accessible to most investigators, the functional and comprehensive analyses obtained with a Seahorse Analyzer or mass spectrometer come with monetary and logistical hurdles. We believe that the application of these techniques, together with collaborative efforts between scientists and clinicians, will uncover disease mechanisms and open novel therapeutic avenues for unmet clinical needs in the field of dermatology., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cells implicated in autoimmunity, but the role of IL-3 in pDC biology is poorly understood. We found that IL-3-induced Janus kinase 2-dependent expression of SLC7A5 and SLC3A2, which comprise the large neutral amino acid transporter, was required for mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) nutrient sensor activation in response to toll-like receptor agonists. mTORC1 facilitated increased anabolic activity resulting in type I interferon, tumor necrosis factor, and chemokine production and the expression of the cystine transporter SLC7A11. Loss of function of these amino acid transporters synergistically blocked cytokine production by pDCs. Comparison of in vitro-activated pDCs with those from lupus nephritis lesions identified not only SLC7A5, SLC3A2, and SLC7A11 but also ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase-phosphodiesterase 2 (ENPP2) as components of a shared transcriptional signature, and ENPP2 inhibition also blocked cytokine production. Our data identify additional therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases in which pDCs are implicated., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests K.M.G., D.E.S., and E.J.P. have filed a provisional patent application: Combined inhibition of amino acid transporters for inhibiting human pDC activity during autoimmunity. E.J.P. and E.L.P. are founders of Rheos Medicines. E.L.P. is a member of the SAB for ImmunoMet Therapeutics., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Polyamine synthesis represents one of the most profound metabolic changes during T cell activation, but the biological implications of this are scarcely known. Here, we show that polyamine metabolism is a fundamental process governing the ability of CD4 + helper T cells (T H ) to polarize into different functional fates. Deficiency in ornithine decarboxylase, a crucial enzyme for polyamine synthesis, results in a severe failure of CD4 + T cells to adopt correct subset specification, underscored by ectopic expression of multiple cytokines and lineage-defining transcription factors across T H cell subsets. Polyamines control T H differentiation by providing substrates for deoxyhypusine synthase, which synthesizes the amino acid hypusine, and mice in which T cells are deficient for hypusine develop severe intestinal inflammatory disease. Polyamine-hypusine deficiency caused widespread epigenetic remodeling driven by alterations in histone acetylation and a re-wired tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Thus, polyamine metabolism is critical for maintaining the epigenome to focus T H cell subset fidelity., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests E.L.P. is a SAB member of ImmunoMet, a founder of Rheos Medicines, and an advisory board member for Cell., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fever can provide a survival advantage during infection. Metabolic processes are sensitive to environmental conditions, but the effect of fever on T cell metabolism is not well characterized. We show that in activated CD8 + T cells, exposure to febrile temperature (39 °C) augmented metabolic activity and T cell effector functions, despite having a limited effect on proliferation or activation marker expression. Transcriptional profiling revealed an up-regulation of mitochondrial pathways, which was consistent with increased mass and metabolism observed in T cells exposed to 39 °C. Through in vitro and in vivo models, we determined that mitochondrial translation is integral to the enhanced metabolic activity and function of CD8 + T cells exposed to febrile temperature. Transiently exposing donor lymphocytes to 39 °C prior to infusion in a myeloid leukemia mouse model conferred enhanced therapeutic efficacy, raising the possibility that exposure of T cells to febrile temperatures could have clinical potential., Competing Interests: Competing interest statement: E.L.P. is a Scientific Advisory Board member of ImmunoMet Therapeutics, and E.J.P. and E.L.P. are founders of Rheos Medicines., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.)

The behaviour of Dictyostelium discoideum depends on nutrients 1 . When sufficient food is present these amoebae exist in a unicellular state, but upon starvation they aggregate into a multicellular organism 2,3 . This biology makes D. discoideum an ideal model for investigating how fundamental metabolism commands cell differentiation and function. Here we show that reactive oxygen species-generated as a consequence of nutrient limitation-lead to the sequestration of cysteine in the antioxidant glutathione. This sequestration limits the use of the sulfur atom of cysteine in processes that contribute to mitochondrial metabolism and cellular proliferation, such as protein translation and the activity of enzymes that contain an iron-sulfur cluster. The regulated sequestration of sulfur maintains D. discoideum in a nonproliferating state that paves the way for multicellular development. This mechanism of signalling through reactive oxygen species highlights oxygen and sulfur as simple signalling molecules that dictate cell fate in an early eukaryote, with implications for responses to nutrient fluctuations in multicellular eukaryotes.

CD8+ T cells detect and kill infected or cancerous cells. When activated from their naïve state, T cells undergo a complex transition, including major metabolic reprogramming. Detailed resolution of metabolic dynamics is needed to advance the field of immunometabolism. Here, we outline methodologies that when utilized in parallel achieve broad coverage of the metabolome. Specifically, we used a combination of 2 flow injection analysis (FIA) and 3 liquid chromatography (LC) methods in combination with positive and negative mode high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) to study the transition from naïve to effector T cells with fine-grained time resolution. Depending on the method, between 54% and 98% of measured metabolic features change in a time-dependent manner, with the major changes in both polar metabolites and lipids occurring in the first 48 h. The statistical analysis highlighted the remodeling of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway, with marked differences in the dynamics of precursors, intermediates, and cofactors. Moreover, phosphatidylcholines, the major class of membrane lipids, underwent a drastic shift in acyl chain composition with polyunsaturated species decreasing from 60% to 25% of the total pool and specifically depleting species containing a 20:4 fatty acid. We hope that this data set with a total of over 11,000 features recorded with multiple MS methodologies for 9 time points will be a useful resource for future work.

Mitochondria constantly adapt to the metabolic needs of a cell. This mitochondrial plasticity is critical to T cells, which modulate metabolism depending on antigen-driven signals and environment. We show here that de novo synthesis of the mitochondrial membrane-specific lipid cardiolipin maintains CD8 + T cell function. T cells deficient for the cardiolipin-synthesizing enzyme PTPMT1 had reduced cardiolipin and responded poorly to antigen because basal cardiolipin levels were required for activation. However, neither de novo cardiolipin synthesis, nor its Tafazzin-dependent remodeling, was needed for T cell activation. In contrast, PTPMT1-dependent cardiolipin synthesis was vital when mitochondrial fitness was required, most notably during memory T cell differentiation or nutrient stress. We also found CD8 + T cell defects in a small cohort of patients with Barth syndrome, where TAFAZZIN is mutated, and in a Tafazzin-deficient mouse model. Thus, the dynamic regulation of a single mitochondrial lipid is crucial for CD8 + T cell immunity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests E.L.P. is a SAB member of Immunomet, and E.L.P. and E.J.P. are founders of Rheos Medicines. E.L.P. is Advisory Board member of Cell and Cell Metabolism., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

EBF1 and PAX5 mutations are associated with the development of B progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in humans. To understand the molecular networks driving leukemia in the Ebf1 +/- Pax5 +/- (dHet) mouse model for B-ALL, we interrogated the transcriptional profiles and chromatin status of leukemic cells, preleukemic dHet pro-B, and wild-type pro-B cells with the corresponding EBF1 and Pax5 cistromes. In dHet B-ALL cells, many EBF1 and Pax5 target genes encoding pre-BCR signaling components and transcription factors were down-regulated, whereas Myc and genes downstream from IL-7 signaling or associated with the folate pathway were up-regulated. We show that blockade of IL-7 signaling in vivo and methotrexate treatment of leukemic cells in vitro attenuate the expansion of leukemic cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed heterogeneity of leukemic cells and identified a subset of wild-type pro-B cells with reduced Ebf1 and enhanced Myc expression that show hallmarks of dHet B-ALL cells. Thus, EBF1 and Pax5 may safeguard early stage B cells from transformation to B-ALL by limiting IL-7 signaling, folate metabolism and Myc expression., (© 2020 Ramamoorthy et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) has a dismal prognosis. We found that T cells of patients relapsing with AML after allo-HCT exhibited reduced glycolysis and interferon-γ production. Functional studies in multiple mouse models of leukemia showed that leukemia-derived lactic acid (LA) interfered with T cell glycolysis and proliferation. Mechanistically, LA reduced intracellular pH in T cells, led to lower transcription of glycolysis-related enzymes, and decreased activity of essential metabolic pathways. Metabolic reprogramming by sodium bicarbonate (NaBi) reversed the LA-induced low intracellular pH, restored metabolite concentrations, led to incorporation of LA into the tricarboxylic acid cycle as an additional energy source, and enhanced graft-versus-leukemia activity of murine and human T cells. NaBi treatment of post-allo-HCT patients with relapsed AML improved metabolic fitness and interferon-γ production in T cells. Overall, we show that metabolic reprogramming of donor T cells is a pharmacological strategy for patients with relapsed AML after allo-HCT., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Foamy macrophages, which have prominent lipid droplets (LDs), are found in a variety of disease states. Toll-like receptor agonists drive triacylglycerol (TG)-rich LD development in macrophages. Here we explore the basis and significance of this process. Our findings indicate that LD development is the result of metabolic commitment to TG synthesis on a background of decreased fatty acid oxidation. TG synthesis is essential for optimal inflammatory macrophage activation as its inhibition, which prevents LD development, has marked effects on the production of inflammatory mediators, including IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2, and on phagocytic capacity. The failure of inflammatory macrophages to make PGE2 when TG-synthesis is inhibited is critical for this phenotype, as addition of exogenous PGE2 is able to reverse the anti-inflammatory effects of TG synthesis inhibition. These findings place LDs in a position of central importance in inflammatory macrophage activation.

CD8 + effector T (T E ) cell proliferation and cytokine production depends on enhanced glucose metabolism. However, circulating T cells continuously adapt to glucose fluctuations caused by diet and inter-organ metabolite exchange. Here we show that transient glucose restriction (TGR) in activated CD8 + T E cells metabolically primes effector functions and enhances tumour clearance in mice. Tumour-specific TGR CD8 + T E cells co-cultured with tumour spheroids in replete conditions display enhanced effector molecule expression, and adoptive transfer of these cells in a murine lymphoma model leads to greater numbers of immunologically functional circulating donor cells and complete tumour clearance. Mechanistically, T E cells treated with TGR undergo metabolic remodelling that, after glucose re-exposure, supports enhanced glucose uptake, increased carbon allocation to the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and a cellular redox shift towards a more reduced state-all indicators of a more anabolic programme to support their enhanced functionality. Thus, metabolic conditioning could be used to promote efficiency of T-cell products for adoptive cellular therapy.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) subdue immune responses. Central to Treg activation are changes in lipid metabolism that support their survival and function. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are a family of lipid chaperones required to facilitate uptake and intracellular lipid trafficking. One family member, FABP5, is expressed in T cells, but its function remains unclear. We show that in Tregs, genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of FABP5 function causes mitochondrial changes underscored by decreased OXPHOS, impaired lipid metabolism, and loss of cristae structure. FABP5 inhibition in Tregs triggers mtDNA release and consequent cGAS-STING-dependent type I IFN signaling, which induces heightened production of the regulatory cytokine IL-10 and promotes Treg suppressive activity. We find evidence of this pathway, along with correlative mitochondrial changes in tumor infiltrating Tregs, which may underlie enhanced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Together, our data reveal that FABP5 is a gatekeeper of mitochondrial integrity that modulates Treg function., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests E.L.P. is a SAB member of Immunomet, and E.L.P. and E.J.P. are founders of Rheos Medicines. B.R.B. receives remuneration as an advisor to Kamon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Five Prime Therapeutics Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Magenta Therapeutics, and BlueRock Therapeutics; research support from Fate Therapeutics, RXi Pharmaceuticals, Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc., Abbvie Inc., BlueRock Therapeutics Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Childrens’ Cancer Research Fund, and KidsFirst Fund and is a co-founder of Tmunity., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competition for nutrients like glucose can metabolically restrict T cells and contribute to their hyporesponsiveness during cancer. Metabolic adaptation to the surrounding microenvironment is therefore key for maintaining appropriate cell function. For instance, cancer cells use acetate as a substrate alternative to glucose to fuel metabolism and growth. Here, we show that acetate rescues effector function in glucose-restricted CD8 + T cells. Mechanistically, acetate promotes histone acetylation and chromatin accessibility and enhances IFN-γ gene transcription and cytokine production in an acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACSS)-dependent manner. Ex vivo acetate treatment increases IFN-γ production by exhausted T cells, whereas reducing ACSS expression in T cells impairs IFN-γ production by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor clearance. Thus, hyporesponsive T cells can be epigenetically remodeled and reactivated by acetate, suggesting that pathways regulating the use of substrates alternative to glucose could be therapeutically targeted to promote T cell function during cancer., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Metabolic analyses generally fall into two classes: unbiased metabolomic analyses and analyses that are targeted toward specific metabolites. Both techniques have been revolutionized by the advent of mass spectrometers with detectors that afford high mass accuracy and resolution, such as time-of-flights (TOFs) and Orbitraps. One particular area where this technology is key is in the field of metabolic flux analysis because the resolution of these spectrometers allows for discrimination between 13 C-containing isotopologues and those containing 15 N or other isotopes. While XCMS-based software is freely available for untargeted analysis of mass spectrometric data sets, it does not always identify metabolites of interest in a targeted assay. Furthermore, there is a paucity of vendor-independent software that deals with targeted analyses of metabolites and of isotopologues in particular. Here, we present AssayR, an R package that takes high resolution wide-scan liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data sets and tailors peak detection for each metabolite through a simple, iterative user interface. It automatically integrates peak areas for all isotopologues and outputs extracted ion chromatograms (EICs), absolute and relative stacked bar charts for all isotopologues, and a .csv data file. We demonstrate several examples where AssayR provides more accurate and robust quantitation than XCMS, and we propose that tailored peak detection should be the preferred approach for targeted assays. In summary, AssayR provides easy and robust targeted metabolite and stable isotope analyses on wide-scan data sets from high resolution mass spectrometers.

Strict regulation of stem cell metabolism is essential for tissue functions and tumor suppression. In this study, we investigated the role of fumarate hydratase (Fh1), a key component of the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and cytosolic fumarate metabolism, in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis-specific Fh1 deletion (resulting in endogenous fumarate accumulation and a genetic TCA cycle block reflected by decreased maximal mitochondrial respiration) caused lethal fetal liver hematopoietic defects and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) failure. Reexpression of extramitochondrial Fh1 (which normalized fumarate levels but not maximal mitochondrial respiration) rescued these phenotypes, indicating the causal role of cellular fumarate accumulation. However, HSCs lacking mitochondrial Fh1 (which had normal fumarate levels but defective maximal mitochondrial respiration) failed to self-renew and displayed lymphoid differentiation defects. In contrast, leukemia-initiating cells lacking mitochondrial Fh1 efficiently propagated Meis1 / Hoxa9 -driven leukemia. Thus, we identify novel roles for fumarate metabolism in HSC maintenance and hematopoietic differentiation and reveal a differential requirement for mitochondrial Fh1 in normal hematopoiesis and leukemia propagation., (© 2017 Guitart et al.)