Fig. 5. Rewiring of aerobic glycolysis and glutaminolysis results in T cell expansion.

T cells utilize glutamine through the glutaminolysis pathway to produce energy during the activation. Graphs show the dynamic protein and gene expression patterns of the main glucose and glutamine transporters and the rate-limiting/ key enzymes of aerobic glycolysis and glutaminolysis during CD4 and CD8 T cell activation (6 h–24 h) and proliferation (3d and 7d). Expressed proteins are named as follows: GLUT-1 (SLC2A1)—the main glucose transporter in T cells, SLC7A5, SLC3A2, and SLC1A5—glutamine transporters, SLC16A3 —lactate transporter, HK2, PFKP, and PKM—the rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis, PFKFB3—a key allosteric activator of glycolysis, LDH—the enzyme which converts pyruvate to lactate, GLS—the enzyme which converts glutamine to glutamate and ME2—the enzyme which converts malate to pyruvate in the mitochondrial matrix. Data is shown as fold change of mRNA and protein intensities in activated T cells relative to 0 h. mRNA or protein intensities at each time point are shown as the mean and the standard error of the mean (SEM) error bars.