Immunology and Cell Biology

Immunometabolism

Immunometabolism examines how metabolic pathways shape immune cell activation, differentiation, and function. Immune responses require dynamic shifts between glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid utilization. This topic explores how metabolic reprogramming influences T-cell exhaustion, macrophage polarization, memory formation, and inflammatory responses. Environmental factors—including nutrients, hypoxia, and metabolites from the microbiome—play key roles in modulating immunity. Abnormal metabolic states contribute to chronic inflammation, obesity-related immune dysfunction, and cancer progression. Advances in metabolomics, metabolic imaging, and targeted inhibitors are enabling deeper insights into metabolic control of immunity. Therapeutic strategies aim to modulate immune metabolism to enhance antitumor immunity, restore tolerance in autoimmune diseases, and improve vaccine responses. Understanding the interplay between metabolism and immunity offers new opportunities for precision therapeutics.