Metabolism of stromal and immune cells in health and disease

Abstract

Stromal cells are connective cells that support parenchymal cells. Aside from endothelial cells (ECs), which build blood vessels to supply oxygen and nutrients1,2, other stromal cells include fibroblasts, which maintain the structural framework in tissues. Another class of cells that maintains tissue homeostasis is immune cells. The immune system collectively functions to protect tissues from infections and foreign antigens. Notably, several of these cell types not only contribute to disease progression but also to therapy resistance3.