Lipid metabolism and neutrophil function

• Published in: Cellular immunology 2022-07, Vol.377, p.104546-104546, Article 104546
• Main Authors: Jiang, Junjie, Tu, Haiyue, Li, Peishan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Immunometabolism; Lipid droplets; Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs); Neutrophils; Tumor metastasis
• ISSN: 0008-8749; 1090-2163
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104546

•The importance of neutrophils is overlooked due to the conception that they are short-lived and unable to proliferate.•In addition to their role as energy stores, lipids serve as regulators in the activation and function of immune cells.•Recent studies indicate that the functions of neutrophils are heterogeneous and can be influenced by lipid metabolism. Neutrophils are an essential part of the innate immune system, playing a critical role in the control of infectious diseases, maintenance of tissue homeostasis and regulation of tumorigenesis. However, their functional importance has often been overlooked due to the conception that they are short-lived and unable to proliferate. Recent studies indicate that the functions of neutrophils are diverse and can be influenced by cellular metabolisms, including that governing lipid homeostasis. Here, we review how lipids, especially lipid droplets, in neutrophils are dynamically regulated in different pathophysiological contexts, with a specific focus on the key regulators involved in lipid metabolism. We also describe how alterations in lipid metabolism are intertwined with different signaling pathways orchestrating neutrophil functions during pathogen defense, tissue repair and tumor metastasis.