About this Research Topic
The plasticity of macrophages depends on the spatial distribution, surrounding cell types, external microenvironment and extrinsic stimuli. This represents not only their capability to rapidly adapt, but also their multifunctionality, such as phagocytosing invading pathogens, antigen-presentation, inflammation, tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Pathogenic bacteria can also quickly adapt to their surroundings, e.g., the extracellular milieu or the intracellular compartments of macrophages. Therefore pathogens exhibit a vast repertoire of bacterial virulence factors that intervene by activating, stalling or altering various macrophage cellular processes. Probably the most complex intracellular network is represented by the countless metabolic pathways, which are crucial for cellular functions, not only during bacterial infection. The interplay between immune responses and the subsequent metabolic adaptations in immune cells such as macrophages is a very prominent and emerging research area within immunometabolism.
In this Research Topic, we welcome researchers to contribute original research, perspectives or review articles that provide novel insights into the complex metabolic adaptations in macrophages specifically during bacterial infections. Each aspect of this topic, namely macrophage metabolism, responses during bacterial infection, and immunometabolism is a challenging investigation by itself. Accordingly, studies that investigate the interplay of all these aspects are not only methodically demanding, but also of significant interest to the scientific community. Therefore, articles that offer novel methodological approaches for detailed analysis of metabolic pathways in this context are also highly appreciated.
In this Research Topic, we welcome researchers to contribute original research, perspectives or review articles that provide novel insights into the complex metabolic adaptations in macrophages specifically during bacterial infections. Each aspect of this topic, namely macrophage metabolism, responses during bacterial infection, and immunometabolism is a challenging investigation by itself. Accordingly, studies that investigate the interplay of all these aspects are not only methodically demanding, but also of significant interest to the scientific community. Therefore, articles that offer novel methodological approaches for detailed analysis of metabolic pathways in this context are also highly appreciated.
Keywords: macrophages, macrophage metabolism, bacterial infection, immunometabolism
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
