Figure 6. Effector Memory T Cells Are Less Reliant on Fatty Acid Metabolism for Survival and Expansion in Low Glucose.

(A and B) Total CD4 T cells were activated with anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads in optimal (A) or low glucose (B) in the presence of TOFA or with vehicle (DMSO) for 5 days. Total cell expansion is recorded on day 5 post-activation.

(C) Indicated T cell subsets were activated with anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads in low glucose in the presence of TOFA or vehicle DMSO for 5 days. Cell expansion is recorded on day 5 post-activation.

(D) Indicated T cell subsets were activated with anti-CD3/CD28 coated beads in optimal or low glucose and CD36 expression was measured at 48 hr post-activation.

(E) Quantification of (D) from three independent experiments and donors.

(F) Total CD4 T cells were activated with anti-CD3/CD28 beads in optimal or low glucose in media without any exogenous lipids (fat-free) or supplemented with exogenous lipids for 9 days. Cell expansion was monitored by Coulter counter on the days indicated.

(G) Indicated T cell subsets were activated with anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads in low-glucose, fat-free medium with or without supplementation of exogenous lipids for 5 days. Cell expansion was recorded on day 5 post-activation.

(H) Indicated subsets were treated with heavy palmitate for 24 hr. Percentages of M+2 acetyl CoA were calculated from the total acetyl-CoA pool by LC-MS.

(I) Indicated T cell subsets were activated with anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads in fat-free medium in low glucose with or without exogenous lipids. Live cells were identified with Live/Dead Aqua by flow cytometry on day 5 post-activation.

(J) Quantification of live cells from (H).

Error bars reflect SEM. All data are representative of 3 independent experiments. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, paired two-tailed Student’s t test or in case of multiple comparisons, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey LSD; ns, not significant.