Introduction

Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.¹ Decades of research have clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of probiotics. These effects include improvement of gastrointestinal health and gut immunity, prevention of potential colonization by pathogenic bacteria and reducing the risk of certain type of cancers.^2–5 Most probiotic bacteria belong to the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, and Enterococcus spp., and these microorganisms offer valuable alternative approaches for future immunomodulatory and cancer prevention therapies.^6–9

Protein kinase B, also known as Akt (PKB/Akt), a serine/threonine protein kinase and a direct downstream effector of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), is a key component of the PI3K/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/Akt signaling network.^10,11 mTOR, the target molecule of rapamycin, is a serine/threonine kinase located downstream of the PI3K/Akt pathway.¹² The mTOR signaling cascade involves two multiprotein complexes with different functions, mTORC1 and mTORC2.¹³ This is highlighted in extensive studies showing that the mTOR signaling pathway has apparent regulatory impact on immune function and T-cell differentiation by integrating various micro-environmental signals.^14,15 Detailed investigations of the mTORC signaling pathway showed that activation of mTORC1 follows activation of PI3K, which in turn, by different interactions with pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1), can phosphorylate and partially activate Akt at Threonine (Thr)-308.¹⁶ Moreover, subsequent phosphorylation of Akt at Serine (Ser)-473 by mTORC2 leads to its full activation and impact on regulation of stress resistance, glucose metabolism, apoptosis, and cell proliferation through blocking of transcription factors forkhead box O1 (FOXO1)/3a.^17,18 It has been demonstrated that up-regulation of Akt is followed by the activation of the lipid kinase PI3K via RAS guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins (GTPases).¹⁹ Additionally, several evidences indicate that Akt can indirectly promote the activation of ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) through direct phosphorylation of mTOR.^11,20 Studies in different models clarify the role of mTOR signaling pathway in the regulation of cell cycle via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K cascade.^21,22 Since the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is extensively reviewed elsewhere, additional comprehensive description may be found in other reviews.^23–25 However, studies in the past few years have made progressively clear that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade can respond to different stimuli to regulate signaling pathways and essential processes of cellular biology, including crucial processes such as growth, survival, proliferation, and cell metabolism that are dysregulated in different disorders.^23,26 Aberrant activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network contributes to pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cancer. Therefore, modulating the components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has recently been proposed as a vital and potential therapeutic option for preventing and/or treating a quite diverse host of conditions whose chronic complications are important burdens in modern communities.^17,27,28

Within the last decade, the fields of immunology and microbiology have turned out to be more entwined than previously thought. Up until now, considerable effort and an ever-growing number of in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted to investigate the possible intriguing link between the effects of probiotics on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling network and their effects on different aspects of health and disease. Major efforts in recent years have been made to shed light on the mechanisms accounting for the interconnections between probiotics metabolism and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway (Table 1). For example, several findings document a possible relationship between the consumption of probiotic strains and their derived metabolites, and the downregulation of mTOR signaling, resulting in improvement of allergic responses.²⁹ In line with this hypothesis, an important in vivo study conducted by Jeong et al., looking at the effectiveness of Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 in controlling lipidemia in rats, discovered that the oral consumption of this probiotic can result in concomitant reduction of Akt and mTOR phosphorylation.³³ Similarly, the suppressing effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) strain on the phosphorylation levels of Akt/mTOR and extracellular-signal regulated kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) has been demonstrated in parallel with symptom improvement in animal models of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).⁴⁵ Keeping these results in mind, probiotic strains should be selected based on their ability to regulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling intermediates for targeted therapy of diseases in which activation of this pathway plays a role. In this Review, we wish to provide the Reader an exhaustive overview of how such studies have contributed to improve our understanding of the causal relationships between probiotics and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway (Figure 1). We herein summarize our current understanding of the modulatory effects of probiotics on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in specific disease models to help pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies.

Table 1.

List of probiotics strain and their effect on different disorders

Probiotic	Model	Mechanism	Effect	Year	Reference
B. coagulans 09.712	In vivo	Up-regulation of Foxp3 and down-regulation the phosphorylation of Akt, 4E-BP1, STAT3, SGK1, p70S6K and mTOR	Amelioration of allergic inflammation	2017	29
L. plantarum	In vitro	Up-regulation of PTEN, BAX, TLR4, and down-regulation of Akt genes	Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of H. pylori-related gastric cancer	2020	30
	In vivo	Reduction of lipid accumulation, FASN expression, and hepatic weight, and elevation of IRS-1/AKT/eNOS pathway expression and phosphorylation	Improvement of lipogenesis and restoring hepatic and renal dysregulation	2020	31
	In vitro	Inhibition of melanogenic enzymes and cellular activity of tyrosinase, and activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways	Prevention of melanogenesis	2015	32
L. plantarum KY1032	In vivo	Inhibition of Akt/mTOR/NF-κB phosphorylation and activation of p53, p16, and COX-2 expression	Returning the alternation of age reduced spontaneous and amelioration of lipidemia	2015	33
L. plantarum WCFS1	In vitro and in vivo	Up-regulation of PKC and PI3K/Akt anti-apoptotic pathways	Regulation of TJ and actin cytoskeleton, and promotion of general immune tolerance	2021	34
L. plantarum H31	In vitro	Up-regulation of Akt-2, AMPK, and GLUT-4 expression	Prevention of pancreas α-amylase activity, and alleviation of diabetes mellitus	2020	35
S. cerevisiae	In vitro	Down-regulation of p-Akt1, Bcl-XL, pro-caspase-3 and 9 expressions, and up-regulation of BAX, cleavedcaspase-3 and 9	Induction of apoptosis in colon cancer	2020	36
B. amyloliquefaciens SC06	In vitro and in vivo	Inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway	Alleviation of oxidative stress	2019	37
B. licheniformis SC08	In vitro and in vivo	Inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway	Alleviation of oxidative stress	2019	37
E. faecalis	In vitro	Inhibition of Akt and mTOR phosphorylation	Induction macrophages autophagy	2018	38
L. fermentum	In vitro	Reduction of senescence markers, NF-κB activation and DNA damage, and down-regulating the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway	Prevention of senescence progression	2020	39
L. fermentum L930BB	In vitro and in vivo	Up-regulation of PKC and PI3K/Akt anti-apoptotic pathways	Regulation of TJ and actin cytoskeleton, and promotion of general immune tolerance	2021,2018	34,40
L. rhamnosus	In vivo	Down-regulation of PI3K/mTOR/NF-κB pathways	Reduction of autophagy and inflammation, and improvement of alcoholic hepatitis	2019	41
L. rhamnosus GG	In vitro and In vivo	Down-regulation of p38 MAPK and up-regulation of PI3K/Akt cascade	Prevention of cytokine-induced apoptosis	2007	42
	In vivo	Enhancing mTOR signaling pathway expression, antioxidant activities and tight junction, and attenuating apoptosis and autophagy	Protection of LPS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction	2017	43
	In vitro	Suppression of PI3K/Akt signal pathway over-activation	Regulation of Salmonella induced IL-8 response and prevention of Salmonella infection	2016	44
	In vivo	Suppression of Akt/mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways phosphorylation	Improvement of OSA	2019	45
L. acidophilus NCFM	In vivo	Down-regulation of Akt1, p38 and cytosolic group IV PLA2 phosphorylation, and up-regulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation	Reduction of T-cell-induced colitis	2011	46
	In vitro	Down-regulation of JNK and mTOR pathways, and up-regulation of p53 and p21 proteins expression, and ROS formation	Induction of autophagic cell death and anti-cancer effect	2019	47
K. marxianus	In vitro	Prevention of mTOR, JAK-1, and Akt-1 pathways	Induction of apoptosis	2020	48
P. kudriavzevii	In vitro	Prevention of mTOR, JAK-1, and Akt-1 pathways	Induction of apoptosis	2020	48
L. reuteri	In vivo	Elevation of active-β-catenin and TGFβ1 expression, and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation	Stimulation of GMSCs function and healing of wound	2019	49
L. reuteri ZJ617	In vivo	Enhancing mTOR signaling pathway expression, antioxidant activities and tight junction, and attenuating apoptosis and autophagy	Protection of LPS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction	2017	43
L. reuteri GMNL-263	In vivo	Down-regulation of Fas ligand and up-regulation of IGF-IR/PI3K/Akt cell survival pathway	Reduction of hyperlipidaemic and cardiac apoptosis	2015	50
B. bifidum	In vitro	Inhibition of LPS-induced autophagy and punctate distribution of GFP-mCherry-LC3, and decreasing of LC3-II/LC3-I ratio	Maintaining epithelial barrier function	2016	51
C. butyricum	In vivo	Up-regulation of TJ-related proteins expression, and Akt/mTOR, and p70S6k phosphorylation	Reduction of intestinal mucosal permeability, and colitis symptoms	2020	20
	In vivo	Increasing the levels of Bcl-2, BDN, and Akt phosphorylation and decreasing the level of BAX	Reduction of neuronal apoptosis and improvement of VaD	2015	52
C. butyricum MIYAIRI 588	In vitro and in vivo	Reduction of hepatic lipid deposition and improvement of triglyceride, insulin resistance, and hepatic inflammatory indexes, and elevation of lipolysis or lipogenesis, Akt, and hepatic AMPK expression	Prevention of NAFLD progression	2013	53
L. gasseri JM1	In vitro	Activation of the TLR2 and NOD2-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway	Alleviation of inflammation	2020	54
L. paragasseri K7	In vitro and in vivo	Up-regulation of PKC and PI3K/Akt anti-apoptotic pathways	Regulation of TJ and actin cytoskeleton, and promotion of general immune tolerance	2020	34
B. lactis Bb-12	In vivo	up-regulation of insulin receptor substrate 1 and insulin receptor beta, Akt, certain adipocytokines, IκBα, and IKKα expression, and down-regulation of mTOR and p66Shc signaling pathway	Improve glucose homeostasis	2018	55
B. animalis subsp. lactis BI-04	In vitro	Up-regulation of PI3K/Akt pathways and down-regulation of p53 gene expression	Postpone the BaP-induced apoptosis	2020	56
B. animalis subsp. lactis DSM10140	In vitro	Suppression of PI3K/Akt signal pathway over-activation	Regulation of Salmonella induced IL-8 response and prevention of Salmonella infection	2016	44
B. animalis subsp. animalis (IM386)	In vitro and in vivo	Up-regulation of PKC and PI3K/Akt anti-apoptotic pathways	Regulation of TJ and actin cytoskeleton, and promotion of general immune tolerance	2021	34
B. breve B-3	In vivo	Promotion of AMPK and Akt/mTOR signaling phosphorylation	Elevation muscle mass	2020	57
B. breveC50 (BbC50sn)	In vitro	Induction of PI3K/Akt, p38MAPK, and ERK pathways	reduction of allergic and inflammatory disorders	2008	58
L. johnsonii N6.2	In vivo	Reduction of mTORC1-activating phosphorylation of pAKT-T308 and pAKT-S473	Reduction of metabolic syndrome disease	2018	59
L. casei	In vitro	Down-regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB phosphorylation	Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of gastric cancer	2013	60
L. casei Zhang (LCZ)	In vivo	Decreasing inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting the hyperactivation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and p-STAT3 pathways	Prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis	2019	95
L. paracasei subp. paracasei X12	In vitro	Down-regulation mTOR/4E-BP1 pathway and cyclin E1, and up-regulating of p27	Blocking cell cycle of colon cancer cells	2016	61
L. paracasei TD062	In vitro and in vivo	Increasing the level of IRS-2, PI3K and Akt and decreasing the level of GSK-3β	Improvement of glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance, and inhibition of T2DM	2018	62
VSL#3	In vivo	Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and NF- κB pathway, iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and p-Akt expression, and increasing of IL-10	Prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis	2013	63
L. mesenteroides	In vitro	Inactivation of NF-κB, Akt, and Bcl-XL expressions, and up-regulation of MAPK1, BAX, and caspase-3	Promotion of apoptosis in colon cancer	2017	64
L. salivarius Ren	In vitro and in vivo	Inactivation of Akt signaling cascades, cyclinD1, and COX-2	Suppression of cell proliferation and CRC formation, and induction of cell apoptosis	2020	65
L. salivarius AR809	In vivo	Inhibition of TLR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB pathway, and elevation of autophagic protein level	Inhibition of inflammatory response caused by S.aureus	2020	66
L. curvatus HY7601	In vivo	Inhibition of Akt/mTOR/NF-κB phosphorylation and activation and p53, p16, and COX-2 expression	Returning the alternation of age reduced spontaneous	2015	33
L. pentosus var. plantarum C29	In vivo	Suppression of p16, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and activation of Akt, mTOR, and NF-κB	Returning the alternation of age reduced spontaneous	2015	67
E. faecium L-15	In vivo	Activation of PI3K/Akt pathway	Improvement of self-renewal and proliferation of SKPs	2020	6

Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the complex crosstalk between probiotics and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling network, whereby extracellular and intracellular signals converge to orchestrate canonical upstream and downstream pathways to modulate a wide range of biological processes involved in various disorders. A detailed description of these interactions is provided in the text. Right: Up-regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade by probiotics. Left: Down-regulation of hyperactivated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by probiotics. Arrows indicate positive regulation (activation/stimulation), bar-headed lines indicate negative regulation (inhibition). The abbreviations shown in the figure can be found in the main text. (Figure was designed by https://biorender.com)

Probiotics, autophagy, and apoptosis

Autophagy, or programmed cell death (PCD) type 2, an evolutionarily conserved pathway, is a lysosome-mediated catabolic pathway and plays a critical role in degradation of the organelles and superfluous proteins that happens ubiquitously in all eukaryotic cells.⁶⁸ It has recently been highlighted as an innate defense or vital homeostasis mechanism against bacterial pathogens and a variety of stimuli and metabolic stress conditions, including nutrient deprivation, which is fundamental for cytoplasmic recycling, cellular bioenergy homeostasis, cellular lipid metabolism, cell survival, and lifespan extension.⁶⁹ Studies in animal models and in humans are starting to unravel the opposing link between autophagy and inflammation. Of note, the inflammatory response mediated by the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling cascade would result in inhibition of autophagy, while, conversely, an inflammatory response would be attenuated after activation of autophagy.⁷⁰ Within the past years, it has become increasingly clear that several key molecular and signaling pathways play a crucial role in regulating the balance of autophagy vs. non-apoptotic cell death. Among the most studies are the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, adenosine 50-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathways, which have the capability to regulate autophagy at diverse steps of autophagosome formation.^71,72 In cancerous cells, in response to cellular stress induced by chemotherapeutics, mTOR has the potential to regulate the balance between autophagy and cell proliferation.⁷³ Nevertheless, in the presence of growth factors or nutrients, autophagy would be down-regulated following the activation of TORC1 and TORC2 by PI3K-I (class I PI3Ks) and Akt, and the phosphorylation of their downstream molecules.⁷⁴ In contrast, in the absence of nutrients and growth factors and/or the presence of other stressors, autophagy will be up-regulated due to the inhibition of Akt/mTOR activation.⁷⁵ The observation that there is negative cross-regulation between autophagy and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway can have interesting implications in the regulation of cellular lipid metabolism.⁷⁶ Recent experimental evidence gathered from animal models characterized the effects of probiotics on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, autophagy, and indicators of inflammation. All in all, such studies highlighted a novel mechanism and a theoretical foundation for the inhibitory effects of probiotics on expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and their association with reduced mTOR/FOXO1/NF-κB activity and the promotion of autophagy processes in normal cellular lipid biosynthesis.⁷⁷ These observations have been documented by both in vitro and in vivo studies which have probed that some strains of probiotics (e.g. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 and Bacillus licheniformis SC08) could improve oxidative stress by promoting the intestinal autophagy machinery system following inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway.³⁷

Aging is a multi-factorial deleterious process that accounts for increased morbidity and mortality in elderly and is accentuated in certain disease states, especially in people living with HIV (PLWH). Increasing evidence indicates that the gathering of damaged cellular components related to the aging process, due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributes to dysregulated autophagy. Remarkably, increased activity of the PI3K/Akt axis, together with inhibition of autophagy, are a causative node in several diseases attributed to the aging process, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), neurodegeneration, cancer, and heart disease. During aging, skeletal muscle mass could be reduced due to alterations in the activity of autophagy.^78,79 In this context, studies have documented the unique role of probiotics-induced mTORC signaling in cytoskeletal organization. In fact, increased skeletal muscle mass has been demonstrated in rats administered heat-killed Bifidobacterium breve B-3, possibly mediated by increased phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR signaling intermediates along with AMPK.⁵⁷ It is well known that cellular senescence plays an essential role in the aging process. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade critically regulates various processes associated with cell senescence during aging, and can be successfully engaged to extend the longevity in aged mice and humans by improving immune function.⁸⁰ Striking results from animal models support the pro-longevity effects of probiotics. For example, administration of the secretory metabolites of Lactobacillus fermentum in mice models of senescence can effectively attenuate the development and progression of senescence by decreasing senescence markers such as p21WAF1, p53, p38MAPK, ROS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), by inhibiting NF-κB activation and the DNA damage response, and by down-regulating the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling intermediates.³⁹ Similar results were seen in aged Fischer 344 rats administered Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032, Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601, and Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29, in which these probiotics caused inhibition of the phosphorylation and activation of Akt/mTOR/NF-κB pathway intermediates and expression of p53, p16, and COX-2, and returned alternation of age reduced spontaneous in aged rats.^33,67 Additional approaches will be essential to elucidate the interactions of probiotics with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in the regulation of aging processes.

Apoptosis is another important form of PCD. A numbers of excellent studies have shown that the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways play vital roles in tumor regression and are in turn regulated by the PI3K/Akt, p38 MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and AMPK pathways.^81,82 It has been shown that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and its metabolites could prevent cytokine-induced apoptosis in human or mouse intestinal epithelial cells by down-regulating the activation of p38 MAPK and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt cascade.⁴² Both live and dead cells of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BI-04 strain can retard Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced apoptosis of the colonic epithelial cells by up-regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and down-regulating p53 gene expression.⁵⁶ In light of these findings, some researchers have hypothesized that the induction of apoptosis in the SW480 cell line could occur in the presence of heat-killed preparations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae through enhanced expression of BAX, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9 and reduced expression of p-Akt1, Bcl-XL, pro-caspase 3 and 9, which are involved in the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.³⁶ Therefore, by targeting apoptosis and survival-related signaling pathways these probiotics may offer important therapeutic options for cancer management.

Ample evidence indicates a critical role for vascular events resulting in impaired blood flow and blood vessel damage in the brain in the development of vascular dementia (VaD). VaD is implicated in behavioral deterioration, progressive cognitive, memory and learning deficits, associated with neurodegeneration and neural lesions. Conclusive findings linking neuronal apoptosis to a low ratio of Bcl-2/BAX have been obtained in studies of hippocampal lesions in rat models of VaD. Conversely, it has been shown that the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt pathway can rescue neurons from apoptosis activated in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.^83,84 Recent studies highlight the potential role of Akt/mTOR signaling in the prevention of vascular cognitive damage by probiotics. These observations indicate that probiotics such as Clostridium butyricum may prevent VaD by increasing the levels of Bcl-2, BDN, and Akt phosphorylation and decreasing the levels of BAX, leading to reduced neuronal apoptosis and improvement of cognitive function in bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO)-induced VaD. Taken together, the aforementioned data strongly point to the modulation of apoptosis, via the regulation of Bcl-2/BAX ratio, as a possible therapeutic target in VaD.⁵²

Probiotics and their surface components

Emerging studies have demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory immune mechanisms and anti-tumoral effects of probiotic are closely associated with their surface components. This has prompted investigators to look at the key components of the cell surface of probiotics such as lipoteichoic acid (LTA), surface-layer protein (Slp), and exopolysaccharides (EPS).⁸⁵ LTA, an amphiphilic negatively charged glycolipid, is an immune-stimulatory component of the cell wall of probiotics that promotes the attachment of probiotics to host cells, colonization, and invasion.⁴⁶ At present, there are conflicting findings in the sparse literature on the role of LTA in the regulation of inflammation. In some of these studies, LTA appears to play an important role in severe inflammatory responses and the pathogenesis of septic shock by stimulating the production of cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, via toll-like receptors (TLRs) such as TLR2.^46,86 The stimulatory role of LTA in the development of septic shock is supported by in vivo evidence in a mouse model in which oral administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NCFM deficient in LTA (NCK2025), compared to administration of the wild-type parental strain (NCK56), can down-regulate the phosphorylation of Akt1, p38 and cytosolic group IV PLA2 in colonic epithelial cells and dendritic cells, but significantly augment phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which highlights the overall immunosuppressive effect of NCK2025 in T-cell-induced colitis.⁴⁶ However, in apparent conflict with these findings, data strongly suggest that LTA can play a major role in the generation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10, and in maintaining intestinal cell homeostasis through up-regulation of ERK1/2 signaling.^32,87 These opposing effects are important caveats when trying to envisage and/or interpret the aftereffects of probiotics treatment. As of today, the functional properties of LTA are under intensive scrutiny in in vivo studies to fully elucidate its overall effects on innate immunity. It has long been known that inflammation can be promoted by macrophages through the production of different cytokines, concomitant with the uptake and eradication of pathogens.^46,88 Regarding this issue, it is becoming increasingly clear that probiotics can sustain the immune response by promoting autophagy in pathogen-loaded macrophages. It is generally accepted that Enterococcus faecalis LTA can stimulate macrophages autophagy in vitro via hindering the phosphorylation of mTOR and Akt.³⁸ The molecular mechanism underlying the anti-tumoral properties of Slp derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM were reported in HCT116 cells. These data support the notion that Slp can induce autophagic cell death following inhibition of cell proliferation by controlling the JNK and mTOR signaling pathways via reducing the phosphorylation levels of 4E-BP1, p70, and S6, and by up-regulating the expression of p53 and p21, and generation of ROS.⁴⁷ It has been established that, in addition to Lactobacillus, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Pichia kudriavzevii fulfill the major criteria for probiotics definition. Of note, also the EPSs of these strains can induce apoptosis and may treat CRC by interfering with the mTOR, Janus Kinase 1 (JAK-1), and Akt-1 pathways.⁴⁸

Probiotics and Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders

Disruption in barrier function and alterations in tight junctions (TJ) structure are linked to the development of chronic inflammation. These changes may lead to various complications, including immune cell infiltration, expression of inflammatory cytokines, translocation of bacteria, and finally stimulation of systemic inflammatory responses.⁸⁹ Several findings also suggest that mechanisms controlling cell apoptosis and proliferation, that is, epithelial turnover, are deeply implicated in preserving intestinal integrity, whereby an augmented rate of apoptosis in epithelial cells is associated with injury of the intestinal mucosa.^43,90,91 This is highlighted in extensive studies showing that an impairment of epithelial barrier function and reduced synthesis of TJ-associated proteins were subsequent to p-S6K and p-mTOR down-regulation in response to reduced Akt and p-Akt protein expression in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice.^20,40 Studies conducted over the last few years have contributed to our understanding of the causal association between the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, the induction of TJ-associated proteins and promotion of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Given the potential connection between gut microbiota and GI inflammatory disorders, several authors have been prompted to investigate the properties of beneficial microbes in experimental models of inflammation to identify new possible approaches to manage these conditions. It was long believed that Lactobacillus strains have the ability to prevent many human diseases and cancer development, and enhance the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines involved in innate immunity through the modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, given its involvement in various cellular processes, such as apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and tumor angiogenesis.⁶³ Subsequent studies revealed that epithelial barrier function both in in vitro and in vivo could be markedly improved by pretreatment with such probiotics as Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus reuteri, and LGG and its proteins (p75 and p40).^43,51,92 Similar results were seen in mice models, where ingestion of LGG and Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ617, by reducing autophagy and apoptosis via the activation of the mTOR cascades, and therefore improving TJ integrity, hinder lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated intestinal barrier dysfunction.⁴³ This view is also supported to a certain extent in studies showing that Clostridium butyricum can contribute to improving the intestinal barrier function in a mouse model of DSS-induced colitis. The above findings provided a basis to further explore the underlying mechanism of these beneficial properties of Clostridium butyricum, which was found to increase the expression of TJ-associated proteins and diminish intestinal mucosal permeability via the up-regulation of the Akt/mTOR axis and the phosphorylation of their downstream signaling molecules such as p70S6k.²⁰ Accumulating in vitro and in vivo evidence indicates that such probiotic strains as Lactobacillus fermentum L930BB, Lactobacillus paragasseri K7, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis (IM386), and Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1, via the up-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) and PI3K/Akt anti-apoptotic pathways, can regulate the actin cytoskeleton and TJ structure to ensure reconstitution of the intestinal epithelial barrier.^34,40 Most importantly, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network complex, via cooperation with TLR-delivered signals and NF-κB, plays fundamental roles in the development of inflammatory responses. In this context, it is documented that Lactobacillus gasseri JM1 could improve inflammation in Caco-2 cells treated with LPS by up-regulation of TLR2 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2)-mediated PI3K/Akt network.⁵⁴

Dysregulation and hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling network are closely associated with cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and metastasis formation, and ultimately contribute to the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer (CRC), and gastric cancer.^93,94 Additional studies have addressed how the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway can mediate control of colon and gastric cancer development by probiotics. In keeping with this, studies in murine models have demonstrated that Lactobacillus casei Zhang (LCZ) and VSL#3 could prevent and treat ulcerative colitis by decreasing the production of host inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathways and the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3).^63,95 Well-designed studies in murine models have also shown that administration of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus salivarius Ren could significantly induce cell apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines and block colon cancer progression. The proposed mechanisms underlying the anti-tumoral effects of these strains included inactivation of the NF-κB and Akt signaling cascades and their downstream molecules (cyclin D₁ and COX-2), down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein like Bcl-XL and Bcl-2, and up-regulation of MAPK1, caspase 3 and 8, and BAX.^64,65 In light of these findings, it is worth mentioning that Lactobacillus paracasei such as species X12 can block the G1 phase of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell cycle by down-regulating the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway through the up-regulation of p27 and the down-regulation of cyclin E_1.⁶¹ Similarly reduced phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling intermediates by probiotics was later confirmed in gastric cancer cells by Hwang and colleagues. They showed that Lactobacillus casei extracts can up-regulate apoptosis in gastric cancer cells and prevent gastric cancer by down-regulating the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling components.⁶⁰ As shown in new report, Lactobacillus plantarum can inhibit both Helicobacter pylori colonization and a gastric cancer cell line (AGS) through the up-regulation of PTEN, BAX, TLR4, and the down-regulation of Akt genes.³⁰ Hence, blocking the hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway has emerged as a plausible therapeutic target for CRC and gastric cancers because of its involvement in cell growth and proliferation. However, the mechanisms of action involved in the beneficial effects of probiotics mediated through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in GI disorders are not fully elucidated in relevant human models. Thus, determining the exact mechanisms of action is not only crucial to determining the pathogenesis of GI disorders, but would also provide a new basis for emerging therapies. To this end, prospective clinical trials should be launched to better characterize patients diagnosed with GI disorders.

Probiotics and Metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by the coexistence of risk factors such as increased abdominal fat, obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia that predispose to the development of T2D, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and NAFLD.⁹⁶ As indicated earlier, over-activation of the mTOR pathway is associated with the process of autophagy, leading to several metabolic disorders.¹⁷ Given the possible connection between probiotics and MetS, many authors have also been encouraged to investigate the effects of probiotics on PI3K/Akt signaling and MetS development in murine models. The following paragraphs provide an overview of the probiotics investigated in studies of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and of their effects on MetS progression.

Probiotics and other disorders

With increasing challenges to human health, probiotics have attracted much attention for their capability to modulate the TLR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and ameliorate pharyngitis.⁶⁶ TLRs as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) can activate innate immunity via sensing invasion of microbial pathogens. Among TLRs, TLR2 orchestrates innate immune and inflammatory responses by recruiting macrophages and modulating PI3K/Akt pathway-dependent autophagy, respectively, when encountering pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus.¹⁰⁸ Activation of TLR/PI3K/Akt pathway contributes to the activation of the downstream NF-κB signaling cascade, thereby stimulating the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and the development of inflammatory diseases such as pharyngitis.¹⁰⁹ Recent in vitro and in vivo studies recognized that probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius AR809 could attenuate the inflammatory response produced by S. aureus by elevating autophagic protein level and blocking the TLR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB signaling network.⁶⁶ A substantial amount of evidence demonstrates that administration of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM10140 and/or LGG in Caco-2 cells can differentially affect the IL-8 response to Salmonella based on the time of administration, in that administration of these probiotics before Salmonella infection can enhance the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, while it inhibits PI3K/Akt pathway activation after Salmonella infection.⁴⁴ As in many other cases, this information is not highly predictive of the overall effect of probiotics and provides an incomplete picture of how they regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway in Salmonella infection. Thus, further experimental studies are required to elucidate this point.

Mucosal delivery of probiotics has been the subject of growing interest due to its proven therapeutic effects in inflammatory and allergic disorders.¹¹⁰ Development of food hypersensitivity reactions occurs due to production of food protein-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and stimulation of basophils or mast cells, as a result of the activation of imbalanced, T helper 2 (Th2)-biased immune responses.¹¹¹ Extensive studies have been conducted to support the efficacy of probiotic microorganisms in decreasing food allergy symptoms via the regulation of mTOR and Treg cells. An in vivo study showed that consumption of Bacillus coagulans 09.712 up-regulates the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and down-regulates the phosphorylation of Akt, 4E-BP1, STAT3, serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) and p70S6K by inhibiting mTOR. Hence, the induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs), and, conversely, the inhibition of T helper 17 (Th17) and Th2-predominant can cause the alleviation of food allergic inflammation.²⁹ This notion is further confirmed in studies showing that Bifidobacterium breve (BbC50sn), by regulating p38MAPK, ERK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, can exert beneficial effects on allergic and inflammatory disorders depending on its interaction with monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs), leading to DC-induced IL-10 production and DC maturation, activation, and survival.⁵⁸ Whereas most similar studies are concordant on the beneficial effects of probiotics on alleviation of allergic disorders, further research efforts are required to answer critical questions on the mechanisms underlying definite aspects of human-probiotic relations to fully understand the therapeutic potential of probiotics in allergic and inflammatory disorders.

The process of melanin synthesis called melanogenesis contributes significantly to protection of the skin from UV radiation. Extreme accumulation of melanin causes hyperpigmentation disorders.¹¹² Topical depigmentation agents have long been employed in the treatment and/or prevention of these disorders. Notably, it is well documented that the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade in cutaneous stem cells is critically involved in hyperpigmentation disorders and can control their apoptosis and proliferation both in human and murine models.¹¹³ As a result, this pathway has been considered a suitable target in several types of skin disorders. Studies in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells have provided evidence to suggest that LTA isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum can prevent melanogenesis by inhibiting the expression of melanogenic enzymes and cellular activity of tyrosinase, while activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and ERK.³² A very recent study has demonstrated that exposure of a cell-free extract of Enterococcus faecium L-15 to mouse skin-derived precursor cells (SKPs) could result in improvement of self-renewal and proliferation of SKPs by activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therapies with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been confirmed to accelerate wound healing of skin and mucosa due to increased tissue regeneration rates.⁶ However, a microecological imbalance can impair the function of MSCs, leading to retarded wound healing. Recent in vivo investigations indicate that Lactobacillus reuteri extracts can accelerate the wound healing process in the oral mucosa by stimulating the functions of gingiva MSCs (GMSCs). Mechanisms accounting for these effects include the enhancement of active-β-catenin and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) expression and of PI3K/Akt pathway phosphorylation.⁴⁹ Additional work and more clinical evidence are needed to fully understand whether the effects of probiotics on hyperpigmentation disorders are mediated by an underlying regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade.

Conclusion

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the most important signal transduction pathways that have many biological functions and drives numerous cellular and physiological processes in the body. Extensive research has provided a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling cascades. As reviewed herein, a vast body of evidence demonstrates that aberrant activation and/or dysregulation in the major components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways are identifiable in different diseases, including most, if not all, human cancers. The last decade has witnessed much progress in our knowledge of the properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as probiotic candidates,^7,114 which include their modulatory functions on specific targets of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and their promising effects on infection control. Driven by earlier evidence of their effects on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, research focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of various probiotics and their derived metabolites has rapidly gained momentum. Most current efforts are directed toward the characterization of innovative approaches to target this important pathway in the attempt to develop promising and selective treatment options. In this review, we extensively discussed a number of in vitro and in vivo studies conducted with several strains of probiotics to understand their mechanisms of action on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network in several disease models. However, despite intensive efforts by many researchers, nearly all of the studies conducted to date have been conducted in vitro or in animal models. Thus, definitive evidence for their beneficial effects in human disease is still lacking, and more research needs to be carried out in human subjects and clinical samples. Such studies, and in particular those concentrating on probiotic strains with documented effects on components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, would be likely to provide more conclusive outcomes and support further exploration for new therapeutic candidates for the treatment of various, highly prevalent disorders.