Figure 2. Representation of the current knowledge on metabolic pathways in working neutrophils. (A) Immature neutrophils utilize FAO-mediated OXPHOS for energy production. (B) Mature neutrophils preferentially utilize glycolysis as source for energy production. (C) Neutrophils depend on glycolysis bypassing the PPP for NET formation. (D) Neutrophils utilize diverse metabolic pathways for ROS generation. Glycolysis provides ATP and the PPP pathway provides NAPDH, which are required for ROS generation. NADPH generated through mitochondrial glutaminolysis is involved in ROS production. In contrast, immature neutrophils utilize mitochondria for ROS generation. (E) Mitochondrial purinergic signaling in migrating neutrophils mediates the chemotaxis of neutrophils, whereas glycolysis provides ATP for chemotaxis. (F) Both glycolysis and mitochondrial ATP production are involved in degranulation of neutrophils.
