In LPS-treated MLE-12 cells, the Western blot analysis further confirmed that rapamycin suppressed endocan-induced activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, thereby attenuating the protective effects of endocan on MLE-12 cells.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Endocan protects AT2 cells against ALI through activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting its therapeutic potential for AT2 in patients with ALI. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.