Lactate and lactylation in macrophage metabolic reprogramming: current progress and outstanding issues

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Metabolic pathways
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Macrophage phenotypes are crucial in various pathophysiological processes.
• Macrophage functions are increasingly linked to metabolic reprogramming.
• Lactate, a glycolytic byproduct, is recognized as a key signaling molecule in biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review metabolic reprogramming in macrophages.
• To elucidate the role of lactate metabolism in macrophage function.
• To summarize research on lactylation-mediated epigenetic regulation of macrophage metabolic reprogramming.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on macrophage metabolism and function.
• Analysis of research on lactate signaling and epigenetic modifications.
• Synthesis of findings on lactylation's role in macrophage phenotype.

Main Results:

• Lactate acts as a signaling molecule influencing immunological responses and metabolism.
• Lactate mediates epigenetic changes in macrophages through lactylation.
• Lactylation regulates macrophage phenotypic transformation via epigenetic mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Lactate metabolism plays a significant role in regulating macrophage function.
• Lactylation is a novel epigenetic mechanism controlling macrophage metabolic reprogramming.
• Understanding lactate's role in macrophage epigenetics offers insights into immune and metabolic regulation.