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Abstract

Amino acids are fundamental building blocks supporting life. Their role in protein synthesis is well defined,
but they contribute to a host of other intracellular metabolic pathways, including ATP generation, nucleotide
synthesis, and redox balance, to support cellular and organismal function. Immune cells critically depend on
such pathways to acquire energy and biomass and to reprogram their metabolism upon activation to support
growth, proliferation, and effector functions. Amino acid metabolism plays a key role in this metabolic rewiring,
and it supports various immune cell functions beyond increased protein synthesis. Here, we review the
mechanisms by which amino acid metabolism promotes immune cell function, and how these processes
could be targeted to improve immunity in pathological conditions.