Itaconate as an immunometabolic hub in host-pathogen interactions: Mechanisms, resistance, and therapeutic opportunities.

Itaconate inhibits pathogen metabolism and reprograms host immunity, with potential therapeutic applications in infection, as evidenced by preclinical studies.

• Why it matters: Understanding how itaconate modulates host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing new antimicrobial strategies and addressing infection-related health issues.
• What they did: The review synthesizes evidence from studies on itaconate's inhibition of enzymes like isocitrate lyase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, and its immune-regulating pathways, including SDH suppression and Nrf2 activation, based on preclinical data.
• The result: Findings support the therapeutic potential of itaconate and derivatives for infections, while highlighting gaps and challenges that guide future research in this emerging field.