Insulin-like growth factor-1 promotes human uterine leiomyoma cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

The present research aims to evaluate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in uterine leiomyoma, and explore its relationship with the occurrence and development of uterine leiomyoma and potential signal pathways. QRT-PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used for estimating the levels of IGF-1 in human uterine leiomyoma compared to myometrium. The expression of cell proliferation and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins in uterine leiomyoma cells were evaluated by Western blot. Cell viability analysis was performed by CCK-8 assay. Lentivirus infection was used for IGF-1 overexpression and knockdown in uterine leiomyoma cells. IGF-1 expression level was elevated in human uterine leiomyomas compared to myometrium. IGF-1 promoted the cell viability of human uterine leiomyoma cells. Overexpression of IGF-1 induced the expression of pro-proliferation markers including c-Myc, PCNA and cyclin D1 in uterine leiomyoma cells. IGF-1 elevated the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR, thus modifying PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in uterine leiomyoma cells. IGF-1 promotes human uterine leiomyoma cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. S. Karger AG, Basel.