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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Jan 14.
Published in final edited form as: Semin Immunol. 2013 Jan 14;24(6):414–420. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2012.12.003

Figure 2. An emerging paradigm linking T cell differentiation and metabolism.

Figure 2

Different lineages of T cells have distinct metabolic profiles. mTOR serves to coordinate differentiation and metabolism. Both CD4+ effector subsets (Th1, Th2, and Th17) and CD8+ effector T cells are characterized by a high rate of glycolysis and high mTOR activity. Conversely, naïve T cells, CD4+ regulatory T cells, and CD8+ memory cells are characterized by low mTOR activity and these cells utilize fatty acid oxidation as a source of fuel.