Immunometabolism: new perspectives for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases

Abstract

A close connection between the immune system and metabolism has been identified in many experimental and clinical studies. The cells of the immune system have the highest energy requirements due to active proliferation, while they have no depot of energy storage and plastics and depend on their ingestion from outside. The phenotype and functional activity of immune cells directly depend on the type of their energy supply. Overnutrition or malnutrition, deficiency of certain micronutrients, and intestinal metabolic activity significantly affect immune cell function. Modulation of basic metabolic and signaling pathways has a considerable impact on the proliferation, differentiation, and functional activity of T cells. Metabolic targeted therapy for immune cells is a promising type of treatment for immune-mediated and cancer diseases. Key words: immunometabolism, metabolism, T cells, inflammation, cancer, treatment