Systemic Immunometabolism: Challenges and Opportunities

Immunity. 2020 Sep 15;53(3):496-509. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.08.012.

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, the field of immunometabolism made great strides to unveil the crucial role of intracellular metabolism in regulating immune cell function. Emerging insights into how systemic inflammation and metabolism influence each other provide a critical additional dimension on the organismal level. Here, we discuss the concept of systemic immunometabolism and review the current understanding of the communication circuits that underlie the reciprocal impact of systemic inflammation and metabolism across organs in inflammatory and infectious diseases, as well as how these mechanisms apply to homeostasis. We present current challenges of systemic immunometabolic research, and in this context, highlight opportunities and put forward ideas to effectively explore organismal physiological complexity in both health and disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / immunology*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Homeostasis / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune System / metabolism*
  • Inflammation / metabolism