Metabolic drives affecting Th17/Treg gene expression changes and differentiation: impact on immune-microenvironment regulation

The CD4⁺ T-cell population plays a vital role in the adaptive immune system by coordinating the immune response against different pathogens. A significant transformation occurs in CD4⁺ cells during an immune response, as they shift from a dormant state to an active state. This transformation leads to extensive proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production, which contribute to regulating and coordinating the immune response. Th17 and Treg cells are among the most intriguing CD4⁺ T-cell subpopulations in terms of genetics and metabolism. Gene expression modulation processes rely on and are linked to metabolic changes in cells. Lactylation is a new model that combines metabolism and gene modulation to drive Th17/Treg differentiation and functional processes. The focus of this review is on the metabolic pathways that impact lymphocyte gene modulation in a functionally relevant manner.