Metabolic immunity against microbes

Pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, remodel the metabolism of their host to acquire the nutrients they need to proliferate. Thus, host cells are often perceived as mere exploitable nutrient pools during infection. Mounting reports challenge this perception and instead suggest that host cells can actively reprogram their metabolism to the detriment of the microbial invader. In this review, we present metabolic mechanisms that host cells use to defend against pathogens. We highlight the contribution of domesticated microbes to host defenses and discuss examples of host-pathogen arms races that are derived from metabolic conflict.