Two for the price of one: itaconate and its derivatives as an anti-infective and anti-inflammatory immunometabolite

• Published in: Current opinion in immunology 2023-02, Vol.80, p.102268-102268, Article 102268
• Main Authors: McGettrick, Anne F, O’Neill, Luke AJ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antiviral Agents - metabolism; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; COVID-19; Humans; Inflammation - drug therapy; RNA, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
• ISSN: 0952-7915; 1879-0372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102268

The metabolite itaconate (ITA) and its derivatives, both chemically synthesized and endogenous, have emerged as immunoregulators, with roles in limiting inflammation but also having effects on bacterial and viral infection. Some members of the ITA family have been shown to target and inhibit multiple processes in macrophages with recently identified targets, including NLRP3, JAK1, ten–eleven translocation-2 dioxygenases, and TFEB, a key transcription factor for lysosomal biogenesis. They have also been shown to target multiple bacteria, inhibiting their replication, as well as having antiviral effects against viruses such as SARS-CoV2, Zika virus, and Influenza virus. The importance of ITA is highlighted by the fact that several pathogens have developed mechanisms to evade ITA and can manipulate ITA for their own gain. Two newly discovered isomers of ITA, mesaconate and citraconate, are also discussed, which also have immunomodulatory effects. ITA continues to be a fascination, both in terms of inflammation but also as an antibacterial and antiviral agent, with therapeutic potential in immune and inflammatory diseases.