Targeting abnormal lipid metabolism of T cells for systemic lupus erythematosus treatment.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. However, the causes of SLE remain unknown. Dyslipidemia is a common symptom observed in SLE patients and animal models and is closely correlated to disease activity. Lipid metabolic reprogramming has been considered as a hallmark of the dysfunction of T cells in patients with SLE, therefore, manipulating lipid metabolism provides a potential therapeutic target for treating SLE. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the metabolic events of immune cells under pathological conditions is crucial for tuning immunometabolism to manage autoimmune diseases such as SLE. In this review, we aim to summarize the cross-link between lipid metabolism and the function of T cells as well as the underlying mechanisms, and provide light on the novel therapeutic strategies of active compounds from herbals for the treatment of SLE by targeting lipid metabolism in immune cells.

Lipid Production by Rhodosporidium toruloides Using Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers / 中国生物工程杂志

The effects of pretreatment methods of Jerusalem artichoke tubers on microbial lipids fermentation with an oleaginous yeast strain Rhodosporidium toruloides Y4 were investigated in shaking flask culture.The yeast strain accumulated substantial amount of lipids using either purple-or white-skinned Jerusalem artichoke tubers as sole carbon and energy source.When cells were cultured on the extracted juice or the acidhydrolysate,cellular lipid content reached 40%(w/w),while cultured on the pulp,the white-skinned tubershadhigher lipid productivity,yielding 12.1 g lipids per100 g dried tubers.Major fatty acid constituents of microbial lipids were those contained 16-and 18-carbon atoms based on GC analysis,which is quite similar to traditional vegetable oil.Microbial lipids prepared from Jerusalem artichoke can be applied to biodiesel production.