Immune cells’ two-pronged approach to maintaining acetyl-CoA reserves

Scientists from the Van Andel Institute have discovered that immune cells use two different routes to produce acetyl-CoA, a key metabolite needed to fight infection and cancer. This could potentially improve immunotherapies by using diet to enhance immune cell function. Acetyl-CoA synthesis via two routes in immune cells demonstrates a similar “metabolic flexibility” as seen in cancer cells. The researchers say this metabolic hub could help refine immunotherapies for cancer by manipulating metabolism to adjust epigenetics.