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mTOR inhibition: a double-edged sword in patients with COVID-19?

Morteza Ghasemnejad-Berenji1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Nazlou Road, Urmia, Iran. morteza.ghasemnejad@yahoo.com.

Human Cell
|February 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Investigating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in COVID-19 pathogenesis is crucial. mTOR inhibitors like rapamycin show therapeutic potential, but their role in immune response requires careful consideration for SARS-CoV-2 drug repositioning.

Area of Science:

  • * Molecular biology and virology
  • * Cell signaling and immunology

Background:

  • * COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is a severe global pandemic with no specific antiviral treatment.
  • * Understanding host cell pathways is key to developing effective therapies.
  • * The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates critical cellular processes like growth, protein synthesis, and metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To explore the role of the mTOR pathway in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
  • * To evaluate the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibitors, such as rapamycin, for COVID-19 treatment.
  • * To analyze the impact of mTOR pathway activation on the immune response to viral infection.

Main Methods:

  • * Literature review and analysis of existing research on mTOR signaling.
  • * Examination of studies investigating mTOR activity in viral infections.
  • * Discussion of drug repositioning strategies for mTOR inhibitors in COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • * The mTOR pathway plays a significant role in cellular processes relevant to viral infections.
  • * mTOR inhibitors, including rapamycin, are being considered for repurposing against COVID-19.
  • * Activation of the mTOR pathway influences the immune system's response to SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

  • * Targeting the mTOR pathway presents a potential therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
  • * Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between mTOR signaling and the immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • * Careful consideration of mTOR's role in immunity is essential for successful drug repositioning of rapamycin and related inhibitors.
Keywords:
COVID-19Cell signalingImmune systemRapamycinSARS-CoV-2mTOR

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