Purpose: To investigate the roles of Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), the major effector molecules of the Hippo pathway, in TGF-β2-mediated conjunctival fibrosis.
Methods: Primary human conjunctival fibroblasts were treated with TGF-β2. The expression of YAP/TAZ was examined by Western blot analyses and immunocytochemistry. The expression of fibrotic proteins and genes were evaluated by Western blot analyses and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. The effects of YAP/TAZ on fibrotic changes were examined by knockdown experiments and the YAP/TAZ inhibitor, verteporfin.
Results: TGF-β2 stabilized YAP/TAZ and subsequently activated Smad2/3, which led to the transcription of fibrotic genes in human primary conjunctival fibroblasts. These fibrotic genes were differently regulated by YAP/TAZ. Notably, α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, collagen I, and collagen IV were primarily regulated by YAP. In contrast, CCN family proteins (CTGF and CYR61) depended on both YAP and TAZ. Mechanistically, YAP/TAZ were located in close proximity to Smad2/3, and in particular, YAP was required for TGF-β2-mediated phosphorylation and the nuclear translocation of Smad2/3. Furthermore, a YAP/TAZ inhibitor markedly suppressed TGF-β2-mediated fibrotic changes in conjunctival fibroblasts.
Conclusions: YAP/TAZ acted as a molecular hub of TGF-β2 signaling in a cellular model of conjunctival fibrosis. Moreover, verteporfin, a YAP/TAZ inhibitor exerted potent antifibrosis effects by suppressing TGF-β2-YAP/TAZ-Smad signaling. Our study highlights YAP/TAZ as essential regulators of conjunctival fibrosis and shows that inhibition of YAP/TAZ might potentially improve the outcomes of glaucoma filtration surgery.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.18-24258 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Nicotine enhances the stemness and tumorigenicity in intestinal stem cells via Hippo-YAP/TAZ and Notch signal pathway.
Elife
January 2025
Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor inducing the development and progression of various diseases. Nicotine (NIC) is the major constituent of cigarette smoke. However, knowledge of the mechanism underlying the NIC-regulated stem cell functions is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopmental dynamics mimicking inversely engineered pericellular matrix for articular cartilage regeneration.
Biomaterials
December 2024
School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, PR China; Institute of Orthopedics, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Beijing, 100853, PR China. Electronic address:
The mechanical mismatch of scaffold matrix-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been a longstanding issue in the clinical application of MSC-based therapy for articular cartilage (AC) regeneration. Existing tissue-engineered scaffolds underestimate the importance of the natural chondrocyte pericellular matrix (PCM). Here, we reveal the temporal and spatial characteristics of collagen distribution around the chondrocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPSAT1 promotes the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating Hippo-YAP/TAZ-ID1 axis via AMOT.
Mol Cell Biochem
December 2024
Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third for morbidity and second for mortality among all digestive malignant tumors worldwide, but its pathogenesis remains not entirely clear. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to find out important biomarkers for CRC. For validation, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were performed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSALL4 mediates SHP2 inhibition in myocardial fibroblasts through the DOT1L/H3K79me2 signaling pathway to promote the progression of myocardial infarction.
Sci Rep
December 2024
Clinical Laboratory, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
Objective: To explore the influence of SALL4 in cardiac fibroblasts on the progression of myocardial infarction.
Methods: Analysis of genes specifically expressed in myocardial infarction by bioinformatics methods; The impact of SALL4 on myocardial infarction was assessed using mouse ultrasound experiments and Masson staining; The effect of SALL4 on the expression levels of collagen-I and collagen-III in myocardial tissue was examined by immunohistochemical staining; The migration ability of cardiac fibroblasts was evaluated using a Transwell assay; The proliferative ability of cardiac fibroblasts was tested using a CCK-8 assay; The relative fluorescence intensity of α-SMA and CTGF in cardiac fibroblasts were checked through immunofluorescence staining experiment; The expression of SALL4, DOT1L, H3K79me2, P53, SHP2, YAP, nucleus-YAP, collagen-I, α-SMA, CTGF, and PAI-1 in myocardial tissues or cardiac fibroblasts was detected using western blot analysis.
Results: SALL4-specific high expression in myocardial infarction; SALL4 intensified the alterations in the heart structure of mice with myocardial infarction and worsened the fibrosis of myocardial infarction; SALL4 also promoted the expression of SALL4, DOT1L, H3K79me2, P53, SHP2, YAP, nucleus-YAP, collagen-I, collagen-III, α-SMA, CTGF, and PAI-1 in myocardial infarction tissues and cardiac fibroblasts; Subsequently, SALL4 could enhance the immunofluorescence intensity of α-SMA and CTGF; Moreover, SALL4 could promote the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts.
Hyperaminoacidemia from interrupted glucagon signaling increases pancreatic acinar cell proliferation and size via mTORC1 and YAP pathways.
iScience
December 2024
Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Increased blood amino acid levels (hyperaminoacidemia) stimulate pancreas expansion by unclear mechanisms. Here, by genetic and pharmacological disruption of glucagon receptor (GCGR) in mice and zebrafish, we found that the ensuing hyperaminoacidemia promotes pancreatic acinar cell proliferation and cell hypertrophy, which can be mitigated by a low protein diet in mice. In addition to mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, acinar cell proliferation required , the most highly expressed amino acid transporter gene in both species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!