Dendritic cells are what they eat: how their metabolism shapes T helper cell polarization.

• 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]