The Immunometabolic Roles of Various Fatty Acids in Macrophages and Lymphocytes

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 22; no. 16; p. 8460
• Main Authors: Rosa Neto, Jose Cesar, Calder, Philip C, Curi, Rui, Newsholme, Philip, Sethi, Jaswinder K, Silveira, Loreana S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 06.08.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Biomedical materials; Energy; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - immunology; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Genotype & phenotype; Glucose; Humans; immune cells; Immune response; Immune system; Inflammation; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - metabolism; Inflammatory response; leukocytes; Lipids; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - metabolism; Metabolism; Metabolites; Oxidation; Phenotypes; Phosphorylation; Proteins; Review; Roles; T cell receptors; Transcription factors; lipids; macrophages; lymphocytes; fatty acids; inflammation; immune cells; leukocytes; cytokines; metabolism
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168460

Macrophages and lymphocytes demonstrate metabolic plasticity, which is dependent partly on their state of activation and partly on the availability of various energy yielding and biosynthetic substrates (fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids). These substrates are essential to fuel-based metabolic reprogramming that supports optimal immune function, including the inflammatory response. In this review, we will focus on metabolism in macrophages and lymphocytes and discuss the role of fatty acids in governing the phenotype, activation, and functional status of these important cells. We summarize the current understanding of the pathways of fatty acid metabolism and related mechanisms of action and also explore possible new perspectives in this exciting area of research.