Role of T cells in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematous: Focus on immunometabolism dysfunctions

• Published in: International immunopharmacology Vol. 119; p. 110246
• Main Authors: Saadh, Mohamed J., Kazemi, Khadijehsadat, Khorramdelazad, Hossein, Mousavi, Mohammad Javad, Noroozi, Negar, Masoumi, Maryam, Karami, Jafar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Autoimmune Diseases; Autoimmunity; Humans; Immunometabolism; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Oxidative Stress; Skin Diseases; SLE T cell; Systemic lupus erythematous; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Autoimmunity; Systemic lupus erythematous; Immunometabolism; SLE T cell
• ISSN: 1567-5769; 1878-1705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110246

•T cells are implicated in developing SLE disease.•Metabolic pathways are implicated in fate and function of T cells.•Metabolic pathways are dysregulated in SLE T cells.•Developing drugs to regulate T cell metabolism could be a promising therapeutic approach for SLE patients. Evidence demonstrates that T cells are implicated in developing SLE, and each of them dominantly uses distinct metabolic pathways. Indeed, intracellular enzymes and availability of specific nutrients orchestrate fate of T cells and lead to differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg), memory T cells, helper T cells, and effector T cells. The function of T cells in inflammatory and autoimmune responses is determined by metabolic processes and activity of their enzymes. Several studies were conducted to determine metabolic abnormalities in SLE patients and clarify how these modifications could control the functions of the involved T cells. Metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, mitochondrial pathways, oxidative stress, mTOR pathway, fatty acid and amino acid metabolisms are dysregulated in SLE T cells. Moreover, immunosuppressive drugs used in treating autoimmune diseases, including SLE, could affect immunometabolism. Developing drugs to regulate autoreactive T cell metabolism could be a promising therapeutic approach for SLE treatment. Accordingly, increased knowledge about metabolic processes paves the way to understanding SLE pathogenesis better and introduces novel therapeutic options for SLE treatment. Although monotherapy with metabolic pathways modulators might not be sufficient to prevent autoimmune disease, they may be an ideal adjuvant to reduce administration doses of immunosuppressive drugs, thus reducing drug-associated adverse effects. This review summarized emerging data about T cells that are involved in SLE pathogenesis, focusing on immunometabolism dysregulation and how these modifications could affect the disease development.