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Research identifies cystine's role in preventing cell death in immune cells during allergic responses.
Wientjens et al (Immunity 2025 Dec 10:S1074-7613(25)00520-5; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2025.11.018) identified a critical role for the nonessential amino acid cystine in pathogenic group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) responses in mice. More specifically, expansion of pathogenic ILC2s during allergic airway inflammation required cystine to synthesize glutathione, which acted in concert with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) to prevent ferroptosis, which is a regulated cell death pathway marked by iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and induction of reactive oxygen species.
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