The transcription factor Twist1 is typical of T lymphocytes driving chronic rheumatic inflammation by controlling their metabolism

T lymphocytes control rheumatic inflammation via cytokines and chemokines, as the Research Group for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis has shown (Maschmeyer et al., EJI 2020). In this process, they adapt their lifestyle to the chronic inflammation, e.g. the transcription factor Twist1 is switched on. Here, we show that Twist1 switches the metabolism of the cells, blocks the processing of sugar (glycolysis) as an energy source and forces the cells to use fatty acids instead. By blocking fatty acid metabolism, the cells can be killed. This is a new perspective for the treatment of chronic rheumatic inflammation.