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

Objective: To assess the involvement of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) on the extracellular matrix contractility of endometriotic cells. Materials and methods: The 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. Results: All four inhibitors of PI3K-Akt-mTOR evaluated in the current study significantly inhibited the contractility of ECSCs. Conclusion: The 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. Copyright (C) 2015, The Asia-Pacific Association for Gynecologic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.