YAP1/Twist promotes fibroblast activation and lung fibrosis that conferred by miR-15a loss in IPF

Y Chen, X Zhao, J Sun, W Su, L Zhang, Y Li… - Cell Death & …, 2019 - nature.com
Y Chen, X Zhao, J Sun, W Su, L Zhang, Y Li, Y Liu, L Zhang, Y Lu, H Shan, H Liang
Cell Death & Differentiation, 2019nature.com
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrotic parenchymal lung
disease of unknown etiology and lack effective interventions. Using a combination of in vitro
and in vivo studies, we found that overexpression of YAP1, a key effector in the Hippo
pathway, promoted cell proliferation, migration, and collagen production in lung fibroblasts.
Furthermore, the pro-fibrotic action of YAP1 was mediated by transcriptional activation of
Twist1 through interacting with its partner TEAD. In contrast, knockdown of YAP1 inhibited …
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrotic parenchymal lung disease of unknown etiology and lack effective interventions. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, we found that overexpression of YAP1, a key effector in the Hippo pathway, promoted cell proliferation, migration, and collagen production in lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, the pro-fibrotic action of YAP1 was mediated by transcriptional activation of Twist1 through interacting with its partner TEAD. In contrast, knockdown of YAP1 inhibited extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, which ultimately ameliorated lung fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we constructed a dysregulated miRNA regulatory network that affects the expression of the Hippo pathway effectors in IPF and identified miR-15a, which is significantly down-regulated in IPF patients, as one of the most essential miRNAs regulating this pathway. Moreover, knockdown of miR-15a resulted in fibroblast activation and lung fibrosis through promoting Twist expression by targeting inhibition of YAP1. In contrast, therapeutic restoration of miR-15a inhibits fibrogenesis in lung fibroblast and abrogated BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice. These results highlight a role for miR-15a/YAP1/Twist axis in IPF that offer novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of lung fibrosis.
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