Immune Metabolism

Activation of immune cells is associated with global metabolic rewiring.  For example, proinflammatory polarization of macrophage shifts it energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation towards glycolysis.  Such a metabolic switch is thought to favor rapid energy production and increased demand for biosynthesis, and fuel pentose phosphate pathway for NADPH generation, all lead to high levels of ROS and proinflammatory cytokines.  On the other hand, the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 induce alternative activation of macrophage which promotes anti-inflammatory activity, wound healing and tissue repair, and presents the opposite metabolic pattern. Our study aims at determining whether mitochondrial function plays a driver role in the activation of immune cells and to elucidate the mechanisms.