MTOR and fibrosis: However, the application of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, in combination with inhibiting miR-22 overexpression, can effectively alleviate autophagy inhibition and reduce the expression of collagen IV and alpha-smooth muscle actin, suggesting that miR-22 may cooperate with mTOR to promote tubulointerstitial fibrosis by targeting PTEN to partially inhibit autophagy.71