Lipid Metabolism and Associated Molecular Signaling Events in Autoimmune Disease

Abstract

Lipid metabolism, when dysregulated paves the way to many autoimmune disease conditions. One such recently explored mechanism was that of Liver X receptor (LXR) signaling which acts as a molecular link between lipid metabolism and inflammation. LXR plays a critical role in coupling immune cell lipid homeostasis with systemic immune responses. In this chapter, we will discuss how an altered lipid metabolite environment causes inflammation signaling via LXR-mediated molecular events which could lead to autoimmune disease. In a hyperlipidemic environment, Interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3) mediated downregulation of LXR signaling in innate immune cells leading to an inflammatory auto-immune response. Meanwhile, dendritic cell-mediated cytokine generation amidst LXR downregulation leads to the differentiation of autoreactive T cells and B cells, conferring an autoimmune response. Recent advances in the therapeutic management of autoimmune diseases target specific metabolic events as a strategy to limit inflammation and the autoimmune outcome. Novel treatment regimes in autoimmune diseases featuring lipid metabolic pathways are also discussed.