Polarization and asymmetry in T cell metabolism

•Mechanisms regulating metabolic reprograming are established during a quiescence phase, which precedes T cell proliferation.•Upon T cell activation polarization of cellular components and processes establishes metabolic regulatory circuits.•Asymmetric T cell division results in differential metabolic profiles of daughter cells, which contribute to their fates.

T cell activation results in a rapidly proliferating T cell endowed with a metabolic phenotype necessary for growth and division. However, before the cell can proceed towards this burst of cell division a phase of quiescence occurs, during which the basic mechanisms governing regulation of metabolic reprograming are established. This review focuses on key cellular processes controlling early metabolic regulation and how these circuits of metabolic control dictate distinct cellular fates upon the first asymmetric division.