Lessons from cross-pathogen studies: understanding the metabolic rewiring of macrophages upon infection

TL;DR

This paper explores how macrophages change their metabolism when infected by bacteria like tuberculosis and Salmonella, and how these changes affect infection outcomes.

Contribution

The paper provides a synthesis of metabolic adaptations in macrophages across different bacterial infections and highlights the value of cross-pathogen studies.

Findings

Macrophages rewire their metabolism in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella infections.

Metabolic changes in host cells influence immune responses and infection outcomes.

Cross-pathogen studies reveal shared and distinct metabolic strategies used by host cells during infection.

Abstract

Bacterial infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Compounding the issue is the rise of antimicrobial-resistant strains, which limit treatment options. Macrophages play key roles in the immunity and pathogenicity of intracellular infections, such as those caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella. Recent advancements have enabled us to better understand how the host orchestrates immune responses to fight these infections and, specifically how the infected cell rewires its metabolism to face this challenge. The engagement of the host cell in specific metabolic pathways impacts cell function and behaviour, and ultimately, infection outcomes. In this perspective, we summarise key findings regarding the metabolic adaptations in macrophages induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella infections. We also explore how cross-pathogen studies can deepen our insights into infection biology to improve therapeutic design.

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