T Cell Immunometabolism and Redox Signaling in Hypertension

Purpose of Review: In this article, we summarize the current literature supporting metabolic and redox signaling pathways as important mechanisms underlying T cell activation in the context of hypertension. Recent Findings: T cell immunometabolism undergoes dramatic remodeling in order to meet the demands of T cell activation, differentiation, and proliferation. Recent evidence demonstrates that the T cell oxidation–reduction (redox) system also undergoes significant changes upon activation, which can itself modulate metabolic processes and T cell function. Dysregulation of these signaling pathways can lead to aberrant T cell activation and inappropriate ROS production, both of which are linked to pathological conditions like hypertension. Summary: While the contribution of T cells to the progression of hypertension has been thoroughly investigated, how T cell metabolism and redox signaling changes, both separately and together, is an area of study that remains largely untouched. This review presents evidence from our own laboratory as well as others to highlight the importance of these two mechanisms in the study of hypertension.