Identification of immune-activating metabolite for enhancing T cell therapy of cancer.

In this Research Highlight, we summarized the results from a study by Wu et al. published in Nature Cell Biology which uncovered that asparagine (Asn), a non-essential amino acid in mammalians, is able to enhance the TCR-mediated activation and efficacy of CD8+ T cells towards tumour through lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) signalling. This study provides insights into the physiological function of Asn in T cell activation and effector functions, showing the encouraging possibility of key metabolites for empowering cancer immunotherapy.

The function and regulation of TET2 in innate immunity and inflammation.

TET2, a member of ten-eleven translocation (TET) family as α-ketoglutarate- and Fe2+-dependent dioxygenase catalyzing the iterative oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), has been widely recognized to be an important regulator for normal hematopoiesis especially myelopoiesis. Mutation and dysregulation of TET2 contribute to the development of multiple hematological malignancies. Recent studies reveal that TET2 also plays an important role in innate immune homeostasis by promoting DNA demethylation or independent of its enzymatic activity. Here, we focus on the functions of TET2 in the initiation and resolution of inflammation through epigenetic regulation and signaling network. In addition, we highlight regulation of TET2 at various molecular levels as well as the correlated inflammatory diseases, which will provide the insight to intervene in the pathological process caused by TET2 dysregulation.