Immune system function and metabolism are profoundly intertwined on a whole-body and cellular level. This is reflected in both homeostatic processes during growth and development and in pathological states. For instance, chronic inflammation in adipose tissue is a strong predictor of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, overall increasing risk for type 2 diabetes and associated co-morbidities in obese individuals. Simultaneously, increased visceral adiposity is linked with a delayed or deficient immune response to infection. On the cellular level, immune cell phenotype is intimately connected with metabolic status. In states of high energy demand immune cells rely on glycolysis for producing ATP, while oxidative phosphorylation is the preferred energy source in resting and regulatory states.
This detailed book showcases the tremendous effort and progress made in developing techniques and protocols for the study of immunometabolism, and in utilizing recent technological advances for probing and manipulating adipose and immune cells, and subsequently, their functions and immunometabolic consequences. Written by experts in the field, many chapters use macrophages as a model immune cell type, due to their prominence in the innate immune system and the exhaustive study of their traits. Protocols using adipocytes, dendritic cells, and T cells as model cell lines, as well as measurement of glucose metabolism at the systemic level, have also been included. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology book series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Immunometabolism: Methods and Protocols serves as a vital guide for researchers working at the important interface of immunology and metabolism.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd Edition of "Women in Science: Biomaterials Science" Research Topic in Frontiers in Biomaterials Science. At present, less than 30% of all researchers worldwide are women and similar ratios are seen in the science community, particularly in the US. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are discouraging girls and women away from science-related fields, and STEM research in particular. Science and gender equality are, however, essential to ensure sustainable development as highlighted by UNESCO. In order to change traditional mindsets, gender equality must be promoted, stereotypes defeated, and girls and women should be encouraged to pursue STEM careers.
Gender Differences in Metabolism: Practical and Nutritional Implications is the first book to successfully integrate nutritional science, exercise physiology/medicine, and metabolism. This volume explores recent scientific evidence that male and female athletes exhibit different metabolic responses and, therefore, differ in their nutritional needs and advice. Anyone interested in good health, exercise, and nutrition will find this book a valuable resource.
A major objective of this open access book is to summarize the current status of Buruli Ulcer (BU) research for the first time. It will identify gaps in our knowledge, stimulate research and support control of the disease by providing insight into approaches for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of Buruli Ulcer. Book chapters will cover the history, epidemiology diagnosis, treatment and disease burden of BU and provide insight into the microbiology, genomics, transmission and virulence of Mycobacterium ulcerans.
Get a quick, expert overview of the latest clinical information and guidelines for cancer checkpoint inhibitors and their implications for specific types of cancers. This practical title by Drs. Fumito Ito and Marc Ernstoff synthesizes the most up-to-date research and clinical guidance available on immune checkpoint inhibitors and presents this information in a compact, easy-to-digest resource. It’s an ideal concise reference for trainee and practicing medical oncologists, as well as those in research. Discusses the current understanding of how to best harness the immune system against different types of cancer at various stages. Helps you translate current research and literature into practical information for daily practice. Presents information logically organized by disease site. Covers tumor immunology and biology; toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors; and future outlooks. Consolidates today’s available information on this timely topic into one convenient resource.
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by an abnormal and self-directed immune response leading to damage and dysfunction of multiple organs and tissues. Most autoimmune diseases are recognized as affecting disproportionately more women than men, suggesting a crucial role of sex hormones in modulating immune responses, with estrogens being postulated as enhancing autoimmunity and androgens playing a protective role. It is also widely acknowledged that there is an overwhelming male bias in non-human (animal) studies of autoimmune diseases, while studies of both sexes in human research frequently fail to analyze results by sex. Underrepresentation of females in animal models of autoimmune disease is often justified by their intrinsic variability during the reproductive period, compromising the understanding of impact of the female sex chromosome and hormones on immune system functions leading to the high prevalence of autoimmune conditions. This Research Topic will highlight the most recent advances in understanding the possible mechanisms for sex-specific differences in autoimmunity, with a specific focus on pre-clinical animal and human models of autoimmune inflammation, as well as on the most common sex specific differences in autoimmune diseases. The topic will emphasize advances in research exploring sex determinants in autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjӧgren's syndrome and further diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, asthma and more. The present Research Topic will include both full length and short research communications, as well as perspective and review articles addressing various aspects of sex biased differences in pathogenesis, age at disease onset, clinical manifestations, disease course, treatment response, associated co-morbidities and overall survival across different autoimmune diseases.
Immunometabolism has emerged as an intersectional crossroad between metabolism and immune response. Over the past decade, it has become clear that most - if not all - immune cell functions are not separated from cellular metabolism. Although seminal works have addressed the metabolic fate of immune cells during differentiation and function, the physiological status of a given tissue is also dependent on the cell metabolism. The dialogue between immune cells and their microenvironment can also modulate cellular metabolism, which can trigger the onset and progression of a multitude of inflammation-mediated diseases. Thus, uncovering the specific characteristics of the metabolism in different immune cells types and in different conditions, can shed light into the molecular mechanisms of disease and help develop new drugs and therapeutic strategies to treat immune diseases. The edited volume Essentials aspects of Immunometabolism will give the readers a broad view on how metabolic pathways can influence many types of immune cells during activation, differentiation and function, in health and disease. Of note, the structure of the book was created thinking not only on the experienced immunologist but also on undergraduate and graduate students, physicians, and all members of the scientific community interested in this exciting field of research.
