Immunometabolism Analysis Service

Immunometabolism Metabolomics Analysis: What It Measures

Immunometabolism analysis is the quantitative profiling of metabolic pathways that regulate immune cell differentiation, activation, and function. Unlike static housekeeping processes, metabolism in immune cells is dynamic; specific metabolites (e.g., Itaconate in macrophages, 2-HG in T-cells) act as signaling molecules that directly control gene expression and effector functions.

Quantifying these changes provides a functional readout of the immune state, bridging the gap between gene expression (transcriptomics) and cellular phenotype (cytokines/killing), essential for developing effective immunotherapies.

When Teams Choose an Immunometabolism Panel: Problems We Solve

Rare Sample Limitations

Challenge: Immune subsets (e.g., TILs, Tregs) obtained via FACS sorting often yield low cell numbers (<500k), falling below the detection limit of standard metabolomics.

Solution: Our high-sensitivity micro-extraction workflow allows robust quantification from as few as 100,000 cells without sacrificing coverage.

Missing Key Immune Signals

Challenge: General metabolomics panels often overlook highly polar, unstable, or low-abundance immunometabolites like Itaconate, Adenosine, or specific CoA esters.

Solution: We designed our panel specifically to capture these "metabolic checkpoints" alongside core TCA and glycolytic intermediates.

Static vs. Dynamic Ambiguity

Challenge: High intracellular concentration doesn't always mean high pathway activity (flux); it could indicate a blockage.

Solution: Our platform is Flux-Ready. You can easily upgrade to ¹³C-labeled studies to distinguish between metabolite pooling and active pathway turnover.

Service Scope: Targeted Immunometabolomics Service Modules

• Core Immunometabolism Panel: Absolute quantification of 50+ targets including Glycolysis, TCA, Amino Acids, and Immune Signaling molecules.
• Bioenergetics Module: Assessment of Energy Charge (ATP/ADP/AMP) and Redox State (NAD+/NADH, NADP+/NADPH).
• Flux Analysis Upgrade: Dynamic tracing using [U-¹³C]-Glucose or [U-¹³C]-Glutamine to measure glycolytic and mitochondrial flux rates.
• Exometabolome Profiling: Analysis of culture supernatants to measure nutrient consumption (e.g., Glucose, Arginine) and waste secretion (e.g., Lactate, Ammonia).

Analyte Coverage: LC-MS/MS Immunometabolism Panel Modules

Our panel captures the metabolic machinery driving immune cell plasticity, covering 50+ targets across bioenergetics, signaling, and epigenetic regulation.

*Note: Highly labile analytes like Adenosine/ATP require strict adherence to our Rapid Quenching SOP to prevent degradation.

Why Choose This Immunometabolism Targeted Metabolomics Service

• Sensitivity for Rare Cells: Optimized for FACS-sorted populations and rare tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), requiring 10x less material than standard methods.
• Absolute Quantification: We use isotope-labeled internal standards to provide concrete concentrations (e.g., pmol/10⁶ cells), essential for metabolic modeling.
• Pathway Depth: Beyond just "energy," we cover signaling metabolites (Itaconate, Adenosine) that act as epigenetic modifiers and immune checkpoints.
• Publication-Ready Data: Comprehensive reports with PCA, heatmaps, and pathway enrichment analysis ready for high-impact journals.

Workflow: Immune Cell Metabolomics Profiling from Sample to Report

1

Consultation

Define immune model (T-cells, Macrophages, etc.) and feasibility based on available cell numbers.

2

Metabolite Extraction

Specialized micro-extraction protocols spiked with isotope-labeled internal standards, optimized for low-input samples.

3

LC-MS/MS Acquisition

High-sensitivity detection using state-of-the-art Triple Quadrupole (QqQ) or High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) platforms, utilizing optimized MRM transitions for maximum specificity.

4

Data Analysis

Rigorous peak integration, absolute quantification using calibration curves, and normalization to cell count or protein content.

5

Reporting

Final delivery of quantitative data tables, method details, QC performance metrics, and biological visualizations.

Stepwise oncometabolite workflow from study design and quenching to isotope-dilution LC–MS/MS, data processing, and reporting.

Platforms & Technical Specs: LC-MS/MS Setup and QC Checkpoints

We utilize industry-leading instrumentation to ensure data integrity for precious samples.

Instrumentation:

• Sciex QTRAP 6500+: Selected for its industry-leading sensitivity, enabling the detection of trace metabolites in low-cell-count samples.
• Thermo Orbitrap Exploris: utilized for high-resolution confirmation and flux analysis (mass isotopologue distribution).

Quality Control Specs:

• Linearity: Calibration curves with R2 ≥ 0.99 across a broad dynamic range.
• Sensitivity: Validated LOQ suited for samples with <500,000 cells.
• Precision: Technical replicate RSD < 15% for quality control standards.

Sample Preparation & Shipping: Immune-Cell–Ready Guidance

Deliverables: Analysis-Ready Tables, QC Summary, and Pathway Views

• Executive summary: study design recap, module overview, and interpretation notes (RUO).
• Quantitative tables: metabolite-by-sample tables with pathway/module grouping.
• Visual outputs: pathway heatmaps, group comparison plots, and QC trend visuals (as applicable).
• Raw & processed data: raw files (where applicable), processed feature tables, and metadata templates.
• Methods appendix: concise method description, panel/module definition, and QC checkpoint notes.
• Optional: statistics-ready matrix and supporting analysis package outputs.

(Need advanced data interpretation? See our Metabolomics Data Analysis services).

Central carbon pathway view from an immunometabolism metabolomics analysis service.

Targeted LC–MS/MS immunometabolism panel performance: chromatograms, calibration, QC trend, and checkpoints.

Differential immunometabolism profiling with volcano plot and pathway module enrichment summary.

Stable isotope tracing view for immunometabolism targeted metabolomics, showing isotopologue fractions over time.

Applications of Immunometabolism Analysis