In the reductionistic approach that dominates science, we've tried to categorize even our own physiology into sperate systems such as the immune system or the metabolic system. A number of beautiful papers show that things are not so segmented as we might think. A thread.

1/

Already almost a decade ago, a brilliant paper in Nature showed that there is crosstalk between the gut microbiome, gut epithelial cells, and immune cells. Moreover, it showed that epithelial cells can take over the immune cell function.
https://t.co/SI1Lqzj445

2/
Than there is this work of art:
https://t.co/O38Gm3P1Nu
The author argues that the immune and metabolic system are likely coevolved and demonstrates that cytokines in fact also act as metabolic hormones. This explains the low-grade inflammation associated with e.g. diabetes.

3/
A quote:
"The evolutionary advantages of a strong defence system
are obvious [...] As a strong immune response is dependent on energy sources, one can also argue that the integration of these systems and their cooperation [...] would be highly advantageous."

4/
"From this perspective, an intriguing way to think about this paradigm would be to envision immune mediators, such as cytokines,
as metabolic hormones. In fact, this aspect of immunometabolism is
extremely well-conserved among organisms"

5/
On the author's website the supplementary data includes long lists of evidence that cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF have metabolic effects:
https://t.co/pSUf09kyvZ

6/
The further researchers dig, the more complex things turn out to be. This intriguing paper, published two weeks ago, identifies nerve cells residing in the gut that *autonomously* can regulate blood glucose and insulin:
https://t.co/OxF3x9aqt4

7/
It shows that insulin respons is not only centrally regulated. It is autonomously regulated from within the gut as well, responding to bacterial impulses.

8/
The take home message:
Glycemic response is not just a simple feedback loop acting upon carb intake, the gut microbiome as well as the immune system have a direct roles in metabolic regulation as well.

9/end

More from Science

"NO LONGER BEST IN THE WORLD"
UNEP's new Human Development Index includes a new (separate) index: Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI (PHDI). News in Norway is that its position drops from #1 to #16 because of this, while Ireland rises from #2 to #1.
Why?

https://t.co/aVraIEzRfh


Check out Norway's 'Domestic Material Consumption'. Fossil fuels are no different here to Ireland's. What's different is this huge 'non-metallic minerals' category.
(Note also the jump in 1998, suggesting data problems.)
https://t.co/5QvzONbqmN


In Norway's case, it looks like the apparent consumption equation (production+imports-exports) for non-metal minerals is dominated by production: extraction of material in Norway.
https://t.co/5QvzONbqmN


And here we see that this production of non-metallic minerals is sand, gravel and crushed rock for construction. So it's about Norway's geology.
https://t.co/y6rqWmFVWc


Norway drops 15 places on the PHDI list not because of its CO₂ emissions (fairly high at 41st highest in the world per capita), but because of its geology, because it shifts a lot of rock whenever it builds anything.
Hi, I'm #MarvellousMarthy & this is a mini #GlobalScienceShow to celebrate @WomenScienceDay. I'd like to tell you about my STEM Role Model @MarineMumbles. Stick around for @philjemmett who’s up next. #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience4SDGs #WomenInScience #girlsinSTEM


Go to
https://t.co/fAM7lPSznm to watch my film. I love Rockpooling now as a hobby & I have got Mummy & Daddy into it too. I have learnt loads about marine life over the last year & Elizabeth @marinemumbles has shared her ❤️ of the oceans with me. I LOVE crabs 🦀 🦀🦀!!

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So, as you can tell from the film, Marthy adores Elizabeth & is truly inspired by her. Since engaging with her for the first time about 10 months ago, Marthy has developed a very keen & passionate interest for all things Marine! The @angleseyseazoo can vouch for this!!!!

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