Metabolism of Cellular Immunity and Its Role in Supporting Responses to Microbial Infection
摘要
Cells are constantly fueled by sugar. While increased sugar consumption in humans might cause them to exhibit a burst of activity, this dependence comes at a significant cost to their long-term health. Similarly, certain cells whose modus operandi involve lots of sugar breakdown have rapid responsiveness but tend to lead short lives. This analogy reflects a growing understanding of cellular metabolism—the complex interplay between energy production and cellular processes. Metabolism not only dictates an organism’s overall health but also significantly influences the functions of individual cells, particularly those critical to the immune system, making it a discipline that intersects with several fields of research. Among such interdisciplinary fields is the emerging study of immunometabolism, where the influence of metabolic pathways on immune cell fate and function is investigated. In this chapter, we explore various avenues of immunometabolism in immune cells, the crosstalk between immune signaling and metabolic pathways, and the impact of these pathways on shaping immune responses against a myriad of infections.