Immunometabolism in biofilm infection: lessons from cancer

Biofilm is a community of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix, which can colonize different human cells and tissues and subvert the host immune reactions by preventing immune detection and polarizing the immune reactions towards an anti-inflammatory state, promoting the persistence of biofilm-embedded bacteria in the host.

It is now well established that the function of immune cells is ultimately mediated by cellular metabolism. The immune cells are stimulated to regulate their immune functions upon sensing danger signals. Recent studies have determined that immune cells often display distinct metabolic alterations that impair their immune responses when triggered. Such metabolic reprogramming and its physiological implications are well established in cancer situations. In bacterial infections, immuno-metabolic evaluations have primarily focused on macrophages and neutrophils in the planktonic growth mode.

Based on differences in inflammatory reactions of macrophages and neutrophils in planktonic- versus biofilm-associated bacterial infections, studies must also consider the metabolic functions of immune cells against biofilm infections. The profound characterization of the metabolic and immune cell reactions could offer exciting novel targets for antibiofilm therapy.