Metabolism, the umbrella term for complex biochemical pathways that sustain the basic functions of life, has garnered attention in recent years for its role in immune activation. Indeed, metabolic pathways and their intricate and complex connections with immune mechanisms constitute a new area of immunology termed ‘immunometabolism’. One highlight is the existence of a switch in the key metabolic programs in immune cells, which executes their effector functions. ‘Metabolic reprogramming’ is observed in conditions of both peripheral diseases as well as in neurodegenerative conditions associated with inflammation such as multiple sclerosis. Moreover metabolic reprogramming occurs for almost every immune cell type. Whether metabolic changes are cause or effect of immune activation, however, remains to be fully understood. Being central to cellular activation, metabolism has become very topical in terms of exploring therapeutic targets. This review covers the major metabolic programs in immune cells, discuss metabolites as regulators of immune cell functions, and consider metabolic enzymes or pathways as therapeutic targets using examples from multiple sclerosis and its animal models.

中文翻译：

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脑浸润性白细胞和小胶质细胞在多发性硬化症中的代谢需求

代谢是维持生命基本功能的复杂生化途径的总称，近年来因其在免疫激活中的作用而受到关注。事实上，代谢途径及其与免疫机制的错综复杂的联系构成了免疫学的一个新领域，称为“免疫代谢”。一个亮点是免疫细胞的关键代谢程序中存在一个开关，它执行它们的效应子功能。在外周疾病以及与炎症相关的神经退行性疾病（如多发性硬化症）中都观察到了“代谢重编程”。此外，几乎所有免疫细胞类型都会发生代谢重编程。然而，代谢变化是免疫激活的原因还是结果，仍有待充分了解。作为细胞活化的核心，新陈代谢在探索治疗靶点方面已成为非常热门的话题。这篇综述涵盖了免疫细胞中的主要代谢程序，讨论了作为免疫细胞功能调节剂的代谢物，并使用多发性硬化症及其动物模型的例子将代谢酶或途径视为治疗靶点。