Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
06:26
Analyzing Ex Vivo Metabolic Flux in Splenic and Cardiac Macrophages and Bone Marrow Monocytes
Published on: March 28, 2025
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Divergent metabolic rewiring shapes altered innate immunity
Mohua Liu1, Xiao Wang1, Xiaoya Qu1
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
Cellular Immunology
|September 10, 2025
Summary
Trained immunity (TRIM) and endotoxin tolerance (ET) involve metabolic changes. Distinct accumulated metabolites after initial stimuli dictate whether immune cells become hyperactivated (TRIM) or suppressed (ET).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolism
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Trained immunity (TRIM) and endotoxin tolerance (ET) are innate immune memory phenomena.
- Both involve metabolic reprogramming, particularly enhanced glycolysis, after an initial stimulus.
- However, they result in opposing immune responses upon restimulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the distinct metabolic reprogramming pathways in TRIM and ET.
- To elucidate how specific metabolic intermediates influence immune fate decisions.
- To highlight potential targets for immune modulation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of metabolic profiles in TRIM and ET models.
- Review of literature on epigenetic modifications linked to metabolic intermediates.
- Discussion of the functional consequences of metabolic differences on immune responses.
Main Results:
- TRIM shows accumulation of fumarate and glutamine derivatives, promoting pro-inflammatory epigenetic changes.
- ET is characterized by increased itaconate and lactate, driving anti-inflammatory epigenetic changes and metabolic suppression.
- These distinct metabolic intermediates dictate the divergent immune outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Metabolic intermediates are critical regulators of innate immune memory.
- Targeting these metabolites offers novel strategies for immune modulation in various diseases.
- Understanding metabolic reprogramming is key to controlling immune responses.
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