Targeting Mitochondria to Revive Dysfunctional Regulatory T Cells

Immunometabolism is important to T cell dysfunction in chronic infections. A recent publication in The Journal of Clinical Investigation (2018;128:5083–5094) [ 1 Younes S.A. et al. Cycling CD4 + T cells in HIV-infected immune nonresponders have mitochondrial dysfunction. J. Clin. Invest. 2018; 128 : 5083-5094 Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar ] shows reduced mitochondrial fitness in regulatory CD4 + T cells (Tregs) of patients with HIV and failed immune restoration on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This defect can be reversed by IL-15, revealing a new immunotherapy target for regulatory T cell restoration