The role and significance of the PI3K/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in infectious diseases

Abstract

The PI3K/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, as a highly conserved and crucial intracellular signal transduction network, is deeply involved in core biological processes such as cell metabolism, proliferation, survival, and immune responses, playing a pivotal role in the occurrence and development of infectious diseases. This review comprehensively and systematically elaborates on the molecular composition, activation mechanisms, and negative regulatory mechanisms of the pathway, with a particular focus on analyzing its key regulatory role in the anti-infective responses of host immune cells (macrophages, T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, B cells, etc.), as well as the mechanisms by which pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, etc.) hijack and interfere with this pathway. Research has shown that the dynamic balance of the PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway is one of the key factors determining the outcome of infection: the host enhances immune defense by activating this pathway, while pathogens achieve immune evasion by targeting key molecules in the pathway. Furthermore, this review systematically integrates the dual role of the PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway in infection immunity, aiming to elucidate its central position as a core for host defense and pathogen evasion, and to provide a clear theoretical framework for subsequent targeted therapeutic research.