Abstract
Innate immune cells play the first line of defense against pathogens. Phagocytosis or invasion by pathogens can affect mitochondrial metabolism in macrophages by diverse mechanisms and shape the macrophage response (proinflammatory vs. immunomodulatory) against pathogens. Besides β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2'-phosphate, reduced (NADPH) oxidase, mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes release superoxide for direct killing of the pathogen. Mitochondria that are injured are removed by mitophagy, and this process can be critical for regulating macrophage activation. For example, impaired mitophagy can result in cytosolic leakage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that can lead to activation of cGAS–STING signaling pathway of macrophage proinflammatory response. In this review, we will discuss how metabolism, mtDNA, mitophagy, and cGAS–STING pathway shape the macrophage response to infectious agents.
Highlights
Frontiers in ImmunologyInnate immune cells play the first line of defense against pathogens
Macrophages (Mj) are innate immune cells that reside in almost all of the tissues in the body
Mj may play a role in resolution of inflammation and tissue injury by upregulating the anti-inflammatory mediators and scavenging receptors, phagocytizing cellular debris, and secreting molecules [e.g., metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tumor growth factor (TGF)-b] to induce collagen production and scar formation associated with tissue repair and wound healing [3, 4]
Summary
Innate immune cells play the first line of defense against pathogens. Phagocytosis or invasion by pathogens can affect mitochondrial metabolism in macrophages by diverse mechanisms and shape the macrophage response (proinflammatory vs immunomodulatory) against pathogens. Besides b-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 2'-phosphate, reduced (NADPH) oxidase, mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes release superoxide for direct killing of the pathogen. Mitochondria that are injured are removed by mitophagy, and this process can be critical for regulating macrophage activation. Impaired mitophagy can result in cytosolic leakage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that can lead to activation of cGAS–STING signaling pathway of macrophage proinflammatory response. We will discuss how metabolism, mtDNA, mitophagy, and cGAS–STING pathway shape the macrophage response to infectious agents
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