D-mannose induces regulatory T cells and suppresses immunopathology.

D-mannose, a C-2 epimer of glucose, exists naturally in many plants and fruits, and is found in human blood at concentrations less than one-fiftieth of that of glucose. However, although the roles of glucose in T cell metabolism, diabetes and obesity are well characterized, the function of D-mannose in T cell immune responses remains unknown. Here we show that supraphysiological levels of D-mannose safely achievable by drinking-water supplementation suppressed immunopathology in mouse models of autoimmune diabetes and airway inflammation, and increased the proportion of Foxp3 regulatory T cells (T cells) in mice. In vitro, D-mannose stimulated T cell differentiation in human and mouse cells by promoting TGF-β activation, which in turn was mediated by upregulation of integrin αβ and reactive oxygen species generated by increased fatty acid oxidation. This previously unrecognized immunoregulatory function of D-mannose may have clinical applications for immunopathology.