Coupling and uncoupling cell cycle and metabolism in CD8⁺ T cells.

Authors

Floortje J van Haften, Hanna S Hepp, Melissa Biemond, Ramon Arens

Published in

Trends in immunology. Sep 29, 2026. Epub Sep 29, 2026.

Abstract

CD8⁺ T cells eliminate infected and malignant cells through coordinated proliferation and effector differentiation, processes supported by metabolic reprogramming that together form an interconnected, cross-regulated network. Emerging evidence indicates, however, that cell cycle progression and effector programming can be transiently uncoupled, with implications for T cell function and fate. Short-term modulation of cell cycle dynamics creates a window for metabolic rewiring, reshaping nutrient utilization, cytokine responsiveness, and bioenergetic capacity. This uncoupling can enhance T cell expansion, effector function, and antitumor activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that the cell cycle functions as an instructive checkpoint integrating metabolic and differentiation programs, not merely supporting proliferation. Understanding this interplay provides a conceptual framework to optimize T cell-based immunotherapies and rationally design chemoimmunotherapy combinations.

PMID:
42810883
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.