Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Mediated Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Availability Supports Humoral Immunity

Immune cells can metabolize glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids (FAs) to generate energy. The role of different FA species, and their impacts on humoral immunity remains poorly understood. Here we report that proliferating B cells require monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) to maintain mitochondrial metabolism and mTOR activity, and to prevent excessive autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Furthermore, B cell extrinsic Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity generates MUFA to support early B cell development and germinal center (GC) formation in vivo during immunization and influenza infection. Thus, SCD-mediated MUFA production is critical for humoral immunity.