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Review
. 2018 Feb 19:9:270.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00270. eCollection 2018.

Metabolic Modulation in Macrophage Effector Function

Ciana Diskin  1 , Eva M Pålsson-McDermott  1
Affiliations
Review

Metabolic Modulation in Macrophage Effector Function

Ciana Diskin et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Traditionally cellular respiration or metabolism has been viewed as catabolic and anabolic pathways generating energy and biosynthetic precursors required for growth and general cellular maintenance. However, growing literature provides evidence of a much broader role for metabolic reactions and processes in controlling immunological effector functions. Much of this research into immunometabolism has focused on macrophages, cells that are central in pro- as well as anti-inflammatory responses-responses that in turn are a direct result of metabolic reprogramming. As we learn more about the precise role of metabolic pathways and pathway intermediates in immune function, a novel opportunity to target immunometabolism therapeutically has emerged. Here, we review the current understanding of the regulation of macrophage function through metabolic remodeling.

Keywords: electron transport chain; glycolysis; immunometabolism; macrophage; tricarboxylic acid cycle.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of macrophage metabolic pathways, including glycolysis (1), pentose phosphate pathway (2), tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (3), electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation (4), fatty-acid synthesis (5), and beta (fatty acid) oxidation (6).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagram depicting the flow of electrons in anti-inflammatory macrophages (top) versus the reverse electron transport (RET) phenomenon observed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages (bottom).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary of changes in metabolic pathways occurring in a pro- versus anti-inflammatory macrophage.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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