Metabolism of stromal and immune cells in health and disease

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 511; no. 7508; pp. 167 - 176
• Main Authors: Ghesquière, Bart, Wong, Brian W., Kuchnio, Anna, Carmeliet, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10-07-2014; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/250; 631/443/319; 631/67/2328; Angiogenesis; Animals; Cancer; Cancer cells; Cell cycle; Cell Differentiation; Cell growth; Cell metabolism; Connective tissue cells; Endothelial Cells - cytology; Endothelial Cells - enzymology; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Enzymes; Glucose; Glycolysis; Health aspects; Homeostasis; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Immune system; Kinases; Leukocytes; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - metabolism; Metabolism; Metabolites; multidisciplinary; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Oncology, Experimental; review-article; Science; Stromal Cells - cytology; Stromal Cells - enzymology; Stromal Cells - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Tumors; Vascular endothelium; Belgium
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/nature13312

This Review discusses stromal and immune cell metabolism and its implications for health and disease.
Stromal and immune cells in disease
This Review focuses on the metabolism of two widely distributed cell types in health, cancer and disorders such as diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, obesity and metabolic syndrome. First the stromal cells (specifically endothelial cells and fibroblasts) that form the connective tissue framework supporting cells tasked to carry out tissue-specific functions. And second, the immune cells (specifically T cells and macrophages). The authors enumerate the commonalities and differences in the metabolism of stromal and immune cells and compare both with that of cancer cells. In addition they identify examples that illustrate the therapeutic potential of targeting metabolism in stromal and immune cells.
Cancer cells have been at the centre of cell metabolism research, but the metabolism of stromal and immune cells has received less attention. Nonetheless, these cells influence the progression of malignant, inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Here we discuss the metabolic adaptations of stromal and immune cells in health and disease, and highlight how metabolism determines their differentiation and function.