Immunometabolism
All cells require nutrients and energy to perform their basic functions. For immune cells, which circulate in the body and migrate between tissues, finding sufficient energy to meet metabolic demands in difficult environments requires a high level of adaptability. This challenge is even greater during a sustained immune response, such as occurs in chronic rheumatic diseases. The articles in this focus issue provide a general introduction to immunometabolism as well as a closer look at metabolite (dys)regulation in the setting of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and osteoarthritis, and a forward-looking discussion of the possibility of targeting metabolic processes therapeutically.
