Immunometabolic Circuits in Host-Pathogen Interaction

Over the last decade, there has been renewed interest in the role of immunometabolism in host-pathogen interactions. We now recognize that metabolic pathways are closely linked to cell signalling and activation. Immune cells, depending on their state and surrounding environment, adopt distinct metabolic programs essential to their function. These metabolic pathways not only support immune cell effector functions but also produce specific metabolic intermediates that can play a central role in fighting pathogens. Interestingly, host and pathogen may even compete for the same metabolites and energy sources. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting metabolic pathways in immune cells can modulate their activity, which might prompt the future development of novel therapeutic approaches.

The increased misuse of antibiotics over the last decades, coupled with climate changes and shifts in human lifestyle, is leading to the emergence of new infections or multidrug resistant pathogens. In addition, the advances in modern medicine (e.g. chemotherapy, transplantation, immunomodulatory therapies) have conversely led to a significant increase in the number of immunocompromised patients over the last decades. The underlying immune dysfunction of these patients poses them at an increased risk of developing severe infections. This highlights the current need to uncover new pathways in host-pathogen interactions that could be targeted to reduce pathogen fitness within the host.

Recent studies reveal that host metabolism significantly influences infection outcomes, as immune cells dynamically reprogram their metabolic profile to fulfil the energy requirements of fighting infection. Nevertheless, there is still a great knowledge gap regarding the specific metabolic pathways necessary for each immune cell to exert specific effector functions, as well as the molecular mechanisms that induce these metabolic changes. Addressing these gaps could lead to innovative strategies for combating infections.

We welcome original research articles, reviews or mini-reviews focused on the following themes:

- Description of novel metabolic pathways involved in immune cell activation in response to pathogens.
- In vitro and in vivo approaches for studying immunometabolism in host-pathogen interactions.
- Strategies for targeting immune cell metabolism to increase host resistance to infection
- Genetic determinants of immune cell metabolism and their impact on responses to pathogens.
- Identification of metabolic biomarkers observed during infection.

Article types and fees

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• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
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• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Metabolism, Clinically relevant infections, Bacteria, Fungi, Immunology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.