YAP1 Is a Driver of Myofibroblast Differentiation in Normal and Diseased Fibroblasts

Am J Pathol. 2015 Dec;185(12):3326-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.08.011. Epub 2015 Oct 10.

Abstract

Dupuytren disease is a fibrotic disorder characterized by contraction of myofibroblast-rich cords and nodules in the hands. The Hippo member Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is activated by tissue stiffness and the profibrotic transforming growth factor-β1, but its role in cell fibrogenesis is yet unclear. We hypothesized that YAP1 regulates the differentiation of dermal fibroblasts into highly contractile myofibroblasts and that YAP1 governs the maintenance of a myofibroblast phenotype in primary Dupuytren cells. Knockdown of YAP1 in transforming growth factor-β1-stimulated dermal fibroblasts decreased the formation of contractile smooth muscle α-actin stress fibers and the deposition of collagen type I, which are hallmark features of myofibroblasts. Translating our findings to a clinically relevant model, we found that YAP1 deficiency in Dupuytren disease myofibroblasts resulted in decreased expression of ACTA2, COL1A1, and CCN2 mRNA, but this did not result in decreased protein levels. YAP1-deficient Dupuytren myofibroblasts showed decreased contraction of a collagen hydrogel. Finally, we showed that YAP1 levels and nuclear localization were elevated in affected Dupuytren disease tissue compared with matched control tissue and partly co-localized with smooth muscle α-actin-positive cells. In conclusion, our data show that YAP1 is a regulator of myofibroblast differentiation and contributes to the maintenance of a synthetic and contractile phenotype, in both transforming growth factor-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation and primary Dupuytren myofibroblasts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / physiology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Dupuytren Contracture / metabolism
  • Dupuytren Contracture / pathology*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Myofibroblasts / drug effects
  • Myofibroblasts / pathology*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • YAP1 protein, human
  • Collagen