Inflammation-induced PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis promoting myometrium contraction through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in preterm birth mice

Expression of PFKFB3, a key enzyme in glycolysis, was significantly upregulated both in the mUSMCs and myometrium of mice during late pregnancy after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway enhanced PFKFB3 expression, which is involved in the initiation of glycolysis. Inflammation-activated PFKFB3 via the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway, which enhances the cellular glycolytic process and thus promotes myometrium contraction in pregnancy.