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Zhang Y, Ren Y, Li X, Li M, Fu M, Zhou W, Yu Y, Xiong Y. A review on decoding the roles of YAP/TAZ signaling pathway in cardiovascular diseases: Bridging molecular mechanisms to therapeutic insights. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 271:132473. [PMID: 38795886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) serve as transcriptional co-activators that dynamically shuttle between the cytoplasm and nucleus, resulting in either the suppression or enhancement of their downstream gene expression. Recent emerging evidence demonstrates that YAP/TAZ is strongly implicated in the pathophysiological processes that contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the cardiovascular system, YAP/TAZ is involved in the orchestration of a range of biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation, and autophagy. Furthermore, YAP/TAZ has been revealed to be closely associated with the initiation and development of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiomyopathy. In this review, we delve into recent studies surrounding YAP and TAZ, along with delineating their roles in contributing to the pathogenesis of CVDs with a link to various physiological processes in the cardiovascular system. Additionally, we highlight the current potential drugs targeting YAP/TAZ for CVDs therapy and discuss their challenges for translational application. Overall, this review may offer novel insights for understanding and treating cardiovascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, PR China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, PR China
| | - Mingdi Fu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wenjing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Yuyan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, PR China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, 710018 Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Li W, Bai P, Li W. UHRF1 inhibition mitigates vascular endothelial cell injury and ameliorates atherosclerosis in mice via regulating the SMAD7/YAP1 axis. Mol Immunol 2024; 170:119-130. [PMID: 38657333 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial cell injury and dysfunction lead to cholesterol and lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque formation in the arterial wall during atherosclerosis (AS) progression, Ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domain 1 (UHRF1), a DNA methylation regulator, was strongly upregulated in atherosclerotic plaque lesions in mice. This study aimed to investigate the precise biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of UHRF1 on endothelial dysfunction during AS development. METHODS UHRF1 levels in the atherosclerotic plaque tissues and normal arterial intima from AS patients were tested with Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry assays. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to induce an injury model and then transfected with short hairpin RNA targeting UHRF1 (sh-UHRF1). Cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, the levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the protein levels adhesion molecules including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to determine the interactions between UHRF1 and DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1), As well as mothers against DPP homolog 7 (SMAD7) and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). SMAD7 promoter methylation was examined with methylation-specific PCR. In addition, we established an AS mouse model to determine the in vivo effects of UHRF1 on AS progression. RESULTS UHRF1 was upregulated in atherosclerotic plaque tissues and ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. UHRF1 knockdown mitigated ox-LDL-induced proliferation and migration inhibition, apoptosis and the production of TNF-α, IL-6, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in HUVECs. Mechanistically, UHRF1 promoted DNMT1-mediated SMAD7 promoter methylation and inhibited its expression. SMAD7 knockdown abolished the protective effects of UHRF1 knockdown on ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury. Moreover, SMAD7 interacted with YAP1 and inhibited YAP1 expression by promoting YAP1 protein ubiquitination-independent degradation in HUVECs. YAP1 overexpression abrogated SMAD7 overexpression-mediated protective effects on ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury. Finally, UHRF1 knockdown alleviated atherosclerotic plaque deposition and arterial lesions in AS mice. CONCLUSION UHRF1 inhibition mitigates vascular endothelial cell injury and ameliorates AS progression in mice by regulating the SMAD7/YAP1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Li
- The Third Departments of Cardiovascular, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, China
| | - Pengxing Bai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, China.
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Xu Q, Zhuo K, Zhang X, Zhen Y, Liu L, Zhang L, Gu Y, Jia H, Chen Q, Liu M, Dong J, Zhou MS. The role of angiotensin II activation of yes-associated protein/PDZ-binding motif signaling in hypertensive cardiac and vascular remodeling. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 962:176252. [PMID: 38061470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Vascular remodeling is the pathogenic basis of hypertension and end organ injury, and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is central to vascular remodeling. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are key effectors of the Hippo pathway and crucial for controlling cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. The present study investigated the role of YAP/TAZ in cardiac and vascular remodeling of angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Ang II induced YAP/TAZ activation in the heart and aorta, which was prevented by YAP/TAZ inhibitor verteporfin. Treatment with verteporfin significantly reduced Ang II-induced cardiac and vascular hypertrophy with a mild reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP), verteporfin attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac and aortic fibrosis with the inhibition of transform growth factor (TGF)β/Smad2/3 fibrotic signaling and extracellular matrix collagen I deposition. Ang II induced Rho A, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and YAP/TAZ activation in VSMCs, either Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil or ERK inhibitor PD98059 suppressed Ang II-induced YAP/TAZ activation, cell proliferation and fibrosis of VSMCs. Verteporfin also inhibited Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation and fibrotic TGFβ1/Smad2/3 pathway. These results demonstrate that Ang II activates YAP/TAZ via Rho kinase/ERK1/2 pathway in VSMCs, which may contribute to cardiac and vascular remodeling in hypertension. Our results suggest that YAP/TAZ plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and end organ damage, and targeting the YAP/TAZ pathway may be a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xu
- Science and Experiment Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China; Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Kunping Zhuo
- Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanru Zhen
- Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Department of Vasculocardiology, The Second Hospital of Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Science and Experiment Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China; Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Yufan Gu
- Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Jia
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Meixi Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiawei Dong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Ming-Sheng Zhou
- Science and Experiment Research Center, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China; Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China.
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Leng J, Wang C, Liang Z, Qiu F, Zhang S, Yang Y. An updated review of YAP: A promising therapeutic target against cardiac aging? Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127670. [PMID: 37913886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptional co-activator Yes-associated protein (YAP) functions as a downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway and plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte survival. In its non-phosphorylated activated state, YAP binds to transcription factors, activating the transcription of downstream target genes. It also regulates cell proliferation and survival by selectively binding to enhancers and activating target genes. However, the upregulation of the Hippo pathway in human heart failure inhibits cardiac regeneration and disrupts astrogenesis, thus preventing the nuclear translocation of YAP. Existing literature indicates that the Hippo/YAP axis contributes to inflammation and fibrosis, potentially playing a role in the development of cardiac, vascular and renal injuries. Moreover, it is a key mediator of myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis in the infarcted heart. Given these insights, can we harness YAP's regenerative potential in a targeted manner? In this review, we provide a detailed discussion of the Hippo signaling pathway and consolidate concepts for the development and intervention of cardiac anti-aging drugs to leverage YAP signaling as a pivotal target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Leng
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China
| | - Chuanzhi Wang
- College of Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhide Liang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fanghui Qiu
- School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China
| | - Shuangshuang Zhang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China.
| | - Yuan Yang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China.
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