Graphical Abstract.

Under Vγ9Vδ2 T lymphocytes stress, the glutaminolysis intermediate glutamate enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics, resulting in STAT3 activation and PD-L1 expression in ABC-DLBCL cells. This process is controlled by MALT1 protease activity via up-regulating GLS1 expression. These results show a novel regulatory pathway that endows ABC-DLBCL cells with an immunosuppressive property. Hence, manipulation of these pathways could hold enormous potential for the development of effective immunotherapy for ABC-DLBCL.