Influence of cell bioenergetics on host-pathogen interaction in the lung

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Metabolism

Background:

• Pulmonary diseases cause millions of deaths annually, involving bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, as well as genetic factors.
• Phagocytic immune cells, especially tissue-resident macrophages, are critical in regulating mucosal immune responses during pulmonary disease onset.
• Host bioenergetics, influenced by pathogen- and host-derived metabolites, significantly impacts organ pathophysiology, including immune cell infiltration and macrophage activation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in immunometabolism.
• To emphasize the role of host metabolites in pulmonary infections.
• To explore disease progression in bacterial (P. aeruginosa, M. tuberculosis, S. aureus) and fungal (C. albicans) lung infections.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies in immunometabolism.
• Focus on host-derived metabolites like itaconate.
• Analysis of immune cell functions and metabolic pathways in pulmonary infections.

Main Results:

• Host-derived metabolites, such as itaconate, promote anti-inflammatory responses.
• Metabolite modulation influences immune cell infiltration, macrophage activation, and polarization.
• Understanding immunometabolism is crucial for preventing immunopathology and preserving mucosal niches.

Conclusions:

• Immunometabolism plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of pulmonary infections.
• Targeting host metabolic pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for lung diseases.
• Further research into specific metabolites and pathogens is needed to combat pulmonary diseases effectively.