Targeting mTOR in myeloid cells prevents infection-associated inflammation.

Abstract

Infections, cancer, and trauma can cause life-threatening hyperinflammation. In the present study, using single-cell RNA sequencing of circulating immune cells, we found that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a critical role in myeloid cell regulation in COVID-19 patients. Previously, we developed an mTOR-inhibiting nanobiologic (mTORi-nanobiologic) that efficiently targets myeloid cells and their progenitors in the bone marrow. <i>In vitro</i>, we demonstrated that mTORi-nanobiologics potently inhibit infection-associated inflammation in human primary immune cells. Next, we investigated the <i>in vivo</i> effect of mTORi-nanobiologics in mouse models of hyperinflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Using ¹⁸F-FDG uptake and flow cytometry readouts, we found mTORi-nanobiologic therapy to efficiently reduce hematopoietic organ metabolic activity and inflammation to levels comparable to those of healthy control animals. Together, we show that regulating myelopoiesis with mTORi-nanobiologics is a compelling therapeutic strategy to prevent deleterious organ inflammation in infection-related complications.