PKM2: A Gatekeeper in Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming

Ke Li; Mingyu Wu; Qiuyu Zhang; Jiabin Wu; Xianyi Ding; Weihua Xiao

doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101564

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Ke Li, Mingyu Wu, Qiuyu Zhang, Jiabin Wu, Xianyi Ding, Weihua Xiao. PKM2: A Gatekeeper in Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101564

Citation:

Ke Li, Mingyu Wu, Qiuyu Zhang, Jiabin Wu, Xianyi Ding, Weihua Xiao. PKM2: A Gatekeeper in Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101564

Ke Li, Mingyu Wu, Qiuyu Zhang, Jiabin Wu, Xianyi Ding, Weihua Xiao. PKM2: A Gatekeeper in Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101564

Citation:

Ke Li, Mingyu Wu, Qiuyu Zhang, Jiabin Wu, Xianyi Ding, Weihua Xiao. PKM2: A Gatekeeper in Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101564

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PKM2: A Gatekeeper in Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming

doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101564

Ke Li^a,b,
Mingyu Wu^a,b,
Qiuyu Zhang^a,b,
Jiabin Wu^a,b,
Xianyi Ding^a,b,
Weihua Xiao^{a,b
,
,}

a. Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance (Shanghai University of Sport), Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China;
b. The Key Lab of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China

Received Date: Aug. 13, 2025
Accepted Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Rev Recd Date: Jan. 26, 2026
Available Online: Jan. 30, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming serves as a core adaptive mechanism for cells to respond to microenvironmental changes and plays a decisive role in macrophage functional polarization. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), recognized for its dynamic allosteric regulation, acts as a critical molecular hub linking metabolic reprogramming with immune responses. Despite numerous studies affirming the pivotal role of PKM2 in tumor metabolism, its complex regulatory mechanisms within the immune metabolic network remain inadequately defined, significantly hindering the advancement of targeted therapeutic strategies for metabolic reprogramming. This review meticulously analyzes and highlights the significance of PKM2-mediated metabolic reprogramming in macrophages across several organ disorders. We subsequently examined various PKM2 inhibitors and activators, along with natural compounds that modulate PKM2, as research evidence for therapeutic approaches to diseases, particularly with the metabolic reprogramming of macrophages. This study comprehensively examines the theoretical foundation, research evidence, and intervention strategies regarding PKM2 as a crucial regulatory element of macrophages, offering novel perspectives on therapeutic approaches for macrophage metabolic reprogramming.
- Pyruvate kinase M2,
- Macrophage,
- Metabolic reprogramming,
- Therapeutic strategies

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References(150)

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