Metabolic Regulators of Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Function
Metabolic regulation of macrophages is a complex process with several transcription factors and cytoplasmatic regulators participating in this process. Central players regulating the metabolic crosstalk between immune function and metabolic pathways include the transcriptions factors HIF-1alfa, SREBPs, AMPK, and the metabolic sensor mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), specifically the complex 1 of mTOR characterized by Raptor and the complex 2 by Rictor. These proteins modulate important cellular immune responses and metabolic signaling, thereby affecting the metabolic status of both the host tissue and overall organism. Chronic disease states can affect the function of these proteins to shift host cellular function to a new physiologic state. Thus, our focus is on how these factors regulate the metabolism and inflammatory function of macrophages and CD4 T cells in physiologic and pathologic states.