Obesity, COVID-19 and innate immunometabolism
Laura E. Gleeson, Helen M. Roche, Frederick J. Sheedy
Abstract
As COVID-19 continues to spread worldwide, severe disease and mortality have been observed in obese patients. We discuss how obesity and obesity-associated factors such as ‘meta-flammation’, dietary fat intake and paradoxical suppression of the innate immune response within the pulmonary compartment may be crucial determinants in the host response to a novel viral pathogen. Modulation of immune cell bioenergetics and metabolic potential plays a central role in the innate immune response to infection, and as we strive to combat this new global health threat, immunometabolism of the innate immune system warrants attention.
Topics & Concepts
Innate immune systemImmune systemImmunologyObesityBiologyDiseaseBioenergeticsMedicineInternal medicineEndocrinologyCell biologyMitochondrionImmune responses and vaccinationsCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research