Cellular and Molecular Links between Autoimmunity and Lipid Metabolism

• Published in: Molecules and cells Vol. 42; no. 11; pp. 747 - 754
• Main Authors: Ryu, Heeju, Kim, Jiyeon, Kim, Daehong, Lee, Jeong-Eun, Chung, Yeonseok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 01.11.2019; 한국분자세포생물학회
• Subjects: Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Autoimmunity - immunology; Cytokines - immunology; Cytokines - metabolism; Dendritic Cells - cytology; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Fatty Acids - immunology; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Humans; Lipid Metabolism - immunology; Lipoproteins, LDL - immunology; Lipoproteins, LDL - metabolism; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - immunology; Minireview; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - cytology; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - immunology; 생물학; autoimmune diseases; hyperlipidemia; Tfh cell; Th17 cell; lipid metabolism
• ISSN: 1016-8478; 0219-1032
• DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2019.0196

The incidence of atherosclerosis is higher among patients with several autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is well documented that innate immune cells including macrophages and dendritic cells sense lipid species such as saturated fatty acids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. However, whether a hyperlipidemic environment also impacts autoimmune T cell responses has been unclear. Among CD4+ T cells, Th17 and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are known to play pathogenic roles in the development of hyperlipidemiaassociated autoimmune diseases. This review gives an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which dysregulated lipid metabolism impacts the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, with specific emphasis on Th17 and Tfh cells.