Cited by 81Lipid Membrane Structure and BehaviorT-cell and B-cell ImmunologyImmune Response and Inflammation

Glycerol Monolaurate (GML) inhibits human T cell signaling and function by disrupting lipid dynamics

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Zhang, Michael S., Sandouk, Aline, Houtman, Jon C. D.·2016·Scientific Reports

Abstract

Glycerol Monolaurate (GML) is a naturally occurring fatty acid widely utilized in food, cosmetics, and homeopathic supplements. GML is a potent antimicrobial agent that targets a range of bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses but select findings suggest that GML also has immunomodulatory functions. In this study, we have mechanistically examined if GML affects the signaling and functional output of human primary T cells. We found that GML potently altered order and disorder dynamics in the plasma membrane that resulted in reduced formation of LAT, PLC-γ, and AKT microclusters. Altered membrane events induced selective inhibition of TCR-induced phosphorylation of regulatory P85 subunit of PI3K and AKT as well as abrogated calcium influx. Ultimately, GML treatment potently reduced TCR-induced production of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10. Our data reveal that the widely used anti-microbial agent GML also alters the lipid dynamics of human T cells, leading to their defective signaling and function.

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  • Medium-chain fatty acids have immunomodulatory activity.

    “and have also an immunomodulatory activity (Zhang et al., 2016).”

    From Insect Derived Lauric Acid as Promising Alternative Strategy to Antibiotics in the Antimicrobial Resistance Scenario (2021) · cites this paper as Zhang et al., 2016

    The Abstract (page unavailable) reports that glycerol monolaurate (GML) alters human T-cell signaling and cytokine production, supporting immunomodulatory activity for GML. The Discussion links GML to 12-carbon fatty acid chains, but the paper does not establish that medium-chain fatty acids as a class have this activity. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Authors
Zhang, M. S., Sandouk, A., & Houtman, J. C. D.
Affiliations
University of Iowa (US)
Corresponding author
Houtman, Jon C. D.
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2016-07-26
Volume
6
Issue
1
Pages
30225-30225
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2502536698
Cited by
81
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1
FWCI
2.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA136729)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM007337)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (T32AI007343)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Response and Inflammation
Keywords
glycerol monolaurate, T cell signaling, lipid dynamics, phospholipase C-gamma, Akt, calcium influx, T cell cytokine production, immunomodulation, antimicrobial agents
MeSH terms
Calcium, Cell Membrane, Humans, Laurates, Phosphorylation, Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, T-Lymphocytes, Signal Transduction, Cytokines, CD28 Antigens, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases, Monoglycerides, Lipid Metabolism, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt, Phospholipase C gamma

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