ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of mTOR signaling pathway in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.MethodsSixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a BLM group. Pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (2.5 mg/kg) in the BLM group. Similarly, 0.9% saline was instilled directly into the trachea in the control group. Then all mice were sacrificed at 21 days. The lungs were collected for morphometric analysis with HE and Masson staining. The degree of pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated with Ashcroft score. The activity of mTOR signaling pathway was measured by Western blot. The level of collagen1, collagen3 mRNA was assessed with quantitative real time PCR.ResultsThe thickening alveolar septa, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and fibrous obliteration in the BLM group were exhibited predominantly compared with the control group. There was a significant difference in Ashcroft score between the BLM group and the control (P<0.05). Also, the activity of mTOR signaling pathway was up-regulated and the expression of collagen1 mRNA and collagen3 mRNA was increased in the BLM group.ConclusionAberrant activation of mTOR signaling pathway aggravates the pulmonary fibrogenesis.