Lactate: Fueling the fire starter

Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med. 2020 May;12(3):e1474. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1474. Epub 2019 Dec 16.

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly appreciated that intermediates of metabolic pathways, besides their anabolic and catabolic functions, can act as signaling molecules and influence the outcome of immune responses. Although lactate was previously considered as a waste product of glucose metabolism, accumulating evidence has highlighted its pivotal role in regulating diverse biological processes, including immune cell polarization, differentiation and effector functions. In addition, lactate is a key player in modulating tumor immune surveillance. Hence, targeting lactate-induced signaling pathways is a promising tool to reduce inflammation, to prevent autoimmunity and to restore anti-tumor immune response. This article is characterized under: Biological Mechanisms > Metabolism.

Keywords: immunity; inflammation; lactate; metabolism; tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism*
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / genetics
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters
  • Lactic Acid
  • Glucose