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.