ABSTRACT
Support is requested for a Keystone Symposia conference entitled Neuroimmunometabolism: Obesity at the
Crossroads between Neuroimmunity and Immunometabolism, organized by Drs. Ana Domingos and Alan
Saltiel. The conference will be held in Breckenridge, Colorado from October 7-10, 2022.
Adiposity is governed by hypothalamus-organ neuronal pathways, particularly by sympathetic nerves in the
liver and adipose tissue that degenerate during the onset of obesity. Metabolic inflammation can prompt
neurodegenerative mechanisms within the autonomic nervous system or hypothalamus to worsen metabolic
outcomes. A deeper understanding of the neuroimmune aspects that regulate immunometabolism may
change the way we think about pharmacologically targeting NASH and obesity. Whereas drug delivery across
the blood-brain barrier is a real challenge, targeting nerve-associated immune cells that modulate the output of
nerves within the liver, pancreas, or fat is a tangible approach. However, this possibility relies on filling the
knowledge gap on the neuroimmune mechanisms governing the physiology of the liver, pancreas, brown and
white adipose tissues. The neuroimmune understanding of gut physiology has taken great strides that could
have parallels within the immunometabolism field. The opportunity presented by the newly recognized
intersections between the fields of neuroimmunity and immunometabolism is gigantic and may create new
scientific knowledge and therapeutic advances.