Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway mediates contractility of human endometriotic stromal cells: A promising new target for the treatment of endometriosis-associated fibrosis

ObjectiveTo assess the involvement of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) on the extracellular matrix contractility of endometriotic cells.Materials and methodsThe effects of wortmannin, LY294002, Akt inhibitor IV, and Ku-0063794 on the contractility of endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs) were investigated using collagen gel contraction assay.ResultsAll four inhibitors of PI3K-Akt-mTOR evaluated in the current study significantly inhibited the contractility of ECSCs.ConclusionThe current findings suggest that the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway is involved in the development of endometriosis-associated fibrosis. The PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway is a promising target for the treatment of endometriosis.