Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition with enterically given rapamycin alters immunity and gut flora in young and aged wild type mice and extends life of immunodeficient mice (IRC8P.452)

Abstract

Abstract mTOR regulates many important immune processes. Interest in immune effects of mTOR inhibitors is heightened by recent findings of ability to boost specific immunity and vaccine response in elderly humans, treat cancers and autoimmunity, and extend life and healthspan in mice, suggesting important new clinical applications. However, immune toxicity concerns for long-term mTOR inhibition, particularly immunosuppression, persist. We comprehensively analyzed immune effects of long-term rapamycin in mice. Gene expression profiling of purified T and B cells (CD4+PD1+, CD4+PD1-, CD8+PD1+, CD8+PD1-, B220+), CD11b+CD11c- myeloid cells and CD11c+ dendritic cells showed numerous, novel changes in genes affecting differentiation, function, homeostasis, migration, exhaustion, cell death and inflammation. Novel effects on Th9, Th22 and Tfh differentiation were seen as was improved function of exhausted PD1+ T cells (supported by human clinical data) and increased numbers and function of innate lymphoid cells. Immune functions relevant to cancer, infections, aging and inflammation, and innate lymphoid cell effects were validated in vitro and in vivo. eRapa prolonged life in RAG KO mice (without T or B cells) >12x and in IFN-γ KO mice >3x over wild type mice, supporting mTOR suppression immune effects mitigating disease as a mechanism for longevity extension. Metagenomic effects were linked to immune outcomes. Our data demonstrate novel mTOR immune effects meriting further investigations.