Postprandial lipid metabolism enhances T cell immunity and CAR-T cell efficacy

6 articles · Updated · Nature.com · Apr 29

Researchers found that T cells from fed humans or mice had higher metabolic capacity and improved function compared to those from fasted states, with effects persisting after activation and expansion.
Triglyceride-rich chylomicrons drive this immunometabolic reprogramming, priming mTORC1-dependent translation and boosting effector function. Postprandial CAR-T cells from the same donor outperformed fasted-state CAR-T cells in cancer models.
These findings highlight the importance of nutritional status in immunological analysis, vaccination, and cell therapy, suggesting diet-derived lipids can durably reprogram T cell metabolism for enhanced immune responses.

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