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.
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.
Authors: Patrick A Link; Kyoung Moo Choi; Ana M Diaz Espinosa; Dakota L Jones; Ashley Y Gao; Andrew J Haak; Daniel J Tschumperlin Journal: Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol Date: 2021-11-10 Impact factor: 5.464
Authors: Ryosuke Nakamura; Renjie Bing; Carina P Doyle; Michael J Garabedian; Ryan C Branski Journal: Exp Cell Res Date: 2021-06-02 Impact factor: 4.145
Authors: Katarina Zmajkovicova; Yasmina Bauer; Katalin Menyhart; Marie Schnoebelen; Diego Freti; Maxime Boucher; Bérengère Renault; Rolf Studer; Magdalena Birker-Robaczewska; Axel Klenk; Oliver Nayler; John Gatfield Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-02-13 Impact factor: 3.240