Raptor/mTORC1-dependent metabolic programming of exit from quiescence underlies T cell activation and fate decisions. Mus musculus

Naïve T cells respond to antigen stimulation by exiting from quiescence into clonal expansion and functional differentiation, but the control mechanism is elusive. Here we describe that Raptor/mTORC1-dependent metabolic reprogramming is a central determinant of this transitional process. Loss of Raptor abrogates T cell priming and Th2 cell differentiation, although Raptor function is less important for continuous proliferation of actively cycling cells. mTORC1 coordinates multiple metabolic programs in T cells including glycolysis, lipid synthesis and oxidative phosphorylation to mediate antigen-triggered exit from quiescence. mTORC1 further links glucose metabolism to the initiation of Th2 differentiation by orchestrating cytokine receptor expression and cytokine responsiveness. Activation of Raptor/mTORC1 integrates T cell receptor (TCR) and CD28 co-stimulatory signals in antigen-stimulated T cells. Our studies identify a Raptor/mTORC1-dependent pathway linking signal-dependent metabolic reprogramming to quiescence exit, and this in turn coordinates lymphocyte activation and fate decisions in adaptive immunity. Overall design: We used microarrays to explore the gene expression profiles differentially expressed in CD4+ T-cells from wild-type (WT) and CD4(cre) x Raptor(fl/fl) mice before and after stimulation with anti CD3/CD28 antibodies.