The potential interplay between energy metabolism and innate complement activation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and rapidly progressing motor neuron disease without effective treatment. Although the precise mechanisms leading to ALS are yet to be determined, there is now increasing evidence implicating the defective energy metabolism and components of the innate immune complement system in the onset and progression of its motor phenotypes. This review will survey the mechanisms by which the energy metabolism and the complement system are altered during the disease progression of ALS and how it can contribute to disease. Furthermore, it will also examine how complement activation can modify the energy metabolism in metabolic disorders, in order to highlight how the complement system and energy metabolism may be linked in ALS.