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Updated: Oct 22, 2025
Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages
Published on: June 23, 2013
The Immunometabolic Roles of Various Fatty Acids in Macrophages and Lymphocytes
Jose Cesar Rosa Neto1,2, Philip C Calder3,4,5, Rui Curi6
1Immunometabolism Research Group, Department of Cell Biology and Development, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.
Abstract:
Macrophages and lymphocytes demonstrate metabolic plasticity, which is dependent partly on their state of activation and partly on the availability of various energy yielding and biosynthetic substrates (fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids). These substrates are essential to fuel-based metabolic reprogramming that supports optimal immune function, including the inflammatory response. In this review, we will focus on metabolism in macrophages and lymphocytes and discuss the role of fatty acids in governing the phenotype, activation, and functional status of these important cells. We summarize the current understanding of the pathways of fatty acid metabolism and related mechanisms of action and also explore possible new perspectives in this exciting area of research.
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