The PI3K/Akt pathway mediates the expression of type I collagen induced by TGF-β2 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a key mediator of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, but the cellular mechanisms by which TGF-β induces extracellular matrix protein (ECM) synthesis are not fully understood. This study examined whether the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in TGF-β2-induced collagen expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.