Glycolysis and the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway as Novel Targets for Upper and Lower Airway Inflammation

• Published in: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 6 - 11
• Main Authors: Kim, Young Hyo, Nakayama, Tsuguhisa, Nayak, Jayakar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) XMLink 01.01.2018; The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology; The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease; 대한천식알레르기학회
• Subjects: Review; 내과학; Glycolysis; hexosamine; allergy
• ISSN: 2092-7355; 2092-7363
• DOI: 10.4168/aair.2018.10.1.6

Glycolysis is a process that rapidly converts glucose to lactate to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) under anaerobic conditions and occurs in all eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. On the other hand, the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) converts glucose to intermediate products like UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, which is critical for post-translational modifications of proteins, such as protein glycosylation. These 2 pathways are well known to contribute to glucose metabolism, but recent studies indicate modulation of these pathways can alter immune system function. In this review article, the authors present results suggesting how cellular metabolism, including glycolysis and the HBP, occurs in immune cells, and the immunologic significances of such activities. In addition, they provide a review of the literature on the effects of glycolysis and the HBP on various autoimmune, immunologic, and allergic diseases. Finally, the authors briefly introduce the results of their research on the immunologic effects of HBP supplementation (glucosamine) in animal models of allergic disease.