Mitochondrial dynamics: A novel mechanistic insight into Th17/Treg balance regulation in inflammatory microenvironments

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1674-1366.2025.04.003

Abstract

Abstract:

The functional imbalance between T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) serves as a pivotal mechanism underlying multiple inflammatory disorders. Although both subsets originate from CD4⁺ T cells, they exhibit antagonistic immunological effects: Th17 drives pro-inflammatory responses while Treg maintains immune homeostasis. Deciphering the regulatory mechanisms governing Th17/Treg balance within inflammatory microenvironments is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on mitochondrial dynamics-the dynamic processes of fission and fusion - as an emerging regulatory dimension. By integrating recent advancements, we examine mitochondrial morphological signatures in Th17/Treg subsets and their interplay with metabolic reprogramming. Our findings establish an innovative "metabolism-immunity" interplay framework for inflammatory diseases and propose translational strategies targeting mitochondrial dynamics to rectify immune imbalance.

Key words: Mitochondrial dynamics, T helper cell 17, Regulatory T cell, Cellular metabolism

Lingping Tan, Chuanying Yu, Chi Zhang, Li Gao, Chuanjiang Zhao. Mitochondrial dynamics: A novel mechanistic insight into Th17/Treg balance regulation in inflammatory microenvironments[J]. Chinese Journal of Stomatological Research(Electronic Edition), 2025, 19(04): 240-246.

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References 62

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项目	Th17细胞	Treg细胞
生物学功能	促进炎症	抑制炎症
核心代谢途径	糖酵解	FAO
线粒体形态特征	线粒体融合、嵴结构致密化	线粒体融合、嵴完整清晰
动力学调控因子	L-OPA1、YME1L等	PGC-1α、OPA1等
代谢-形态偶联机制	OXPHOS↑→YME1L激活→L-OPA1↑→融合↑→糖酵解↑	TGF-β→PGC-1α↑→OPA1//MFN2↑→融合↑→FAO↑

项目	Th17细胞	Treg细胞
生物学功能	促进炎症	抑制炎症
核心代谢途径	糖酵解	FAO
线粒体形态特征	线粒体融合、嵴结构致密化	线粒体融合、嵴完整清晰
动力学调控因子	L-OPA1、YME1L等	PGC-1α、OPA1等
代谢-形态偶联机制	OXPHOS↑→YME1L激活→L-OPA1↑→融合↑→糖酵解↑	TGF-β→PGC-1α↑→OPA1//MFN2↑→融合↑→FAO↑

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