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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

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Immunometabolic Interplay in the Tumor Microenvironment.

Irem Kaymak¹, Kelsey S Williams¹, Jason R Cantor²

¹Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.

|October 30, 2020

Summary

Understanding immune cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. This review explores how the TME influences immune cell metabolism and suggests future research directions for therapeutic benefit.

Keywords:

immunology immunometabolism in vitro modeling metabolism metabolomics physiologic media stable isotope tracing tumor microenvironment

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Last Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

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Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

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Published on: March 7, 2025

Area of Science:

Immunology
Metabolic studies
Cancer research

Background:

Immune cell metabolism is critical for their function and differentiation.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly impacts the metabolic activities of various cell types within it.
There is a growing need to understand diverse metabolic phenotypes in the TME.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss cell-extrinsic factors influencing immune cell metabolism.
To propose future research avenues for studying immune cell metabolism in the TME.
To explore therapeutic applications of understanding TME-driven immune cell metabolism.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on cell-extrinsic contributions to immune cell metabolism.
Discussion of recent advances in experimental systems and metabolic profiling technologies.
Analysis of the interplay between environmental factors and cellular metabolism in the TME.

Main Results:

The TME presents a complex milieu affecting immune cell metabolic activities.
Cell-extrinsic factors play a significant role in shaping immune cell metabolic phenotypes.
Emerging technologies offer new possibilities for metabolic profiling in the TME.

Conclusions:

Further investigation into immune cell metabolic demands within the TME is warranted.
Leveraging knowledge of TME-influenced immune cell metabolism holds therapeutic potential.
Interdisciplinary approaches combining immunology and metabolic studies are key for future progress.