In steady stage, the cells in immune system are relatively quiescent with minimal activities and survival needs but they possess the ability to quickly response to pathogens or environmental challenges and constantly orchestrate their effector functions. Once pathogens are detected in system, the cells will switch to activated stage and be ready to fight with possible inflammation, infection, and/or any attacks from environment. The shaping from quiescent stage to activated stage requires energy and bio-precursor. Recent studies indicate that metabolism and immune cell functions are closely linked. The change in metabolism not only passively supports the activation status, but also crucially influences the differentiation of immune cells.
To understand how these fundamental processes influence each other may provide novel treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Defense against invading infectious pathogens and noninfectious foreign substance is mediated by innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immune responses are early reaction of immune system and carried out by innate immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells.
No comments:
Post a Comment