Research progress on pathogenesis and potential therapeutic target of sarcopenia obesity / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Sarcopenia obesity (SO), a specific disease with co-occurrence of obesity and sarcopenia, is shown clinically as abnormal accumulation of fat, decreased mass and strength of muscle, and increased risk of incidence and mortality of other chronic diseases. Currently, there exist various definitions and diagnoses about SO in the various regions of the world. Its prevalence in populations elevates in an age-dependent manner. This article summarized the possible pathogenesis of SO from the view of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and Hippo pathway, subsequently listed and analyzed potential pharmacological targets (fibroblast growth factor, CD44, adiponectin, etc) involved in treating SO, in order to provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis, treatment of SO patients and research and development of innovative drugs.

Hippo pathway-manipulating neutrophil-mimic hybrid nanoparticles for cardiac ischemic injury via modulation of local immunity and cardiac regeneration

The promise of regeneration therapy for restoration of damaged myocardium after cardiac ischemic injury relies on targeted delivery of proliferative molecules into cardiomyocytes whose healing benefits are still limited owing to severe immune microenvironment due to local high concentration of proinflammatory cytokines. Optimal therapeutic strategies are therefore in urgent need to both modulate local immunity and deliver proliferative molecules. Here, we addressed this unmet need by developing neutrophil-mimic nanoparticles NM@miR, fabricated by coating hybrid neutrophil membranes with artificial lipids onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with microRNA-10b. The hybrid membrane could endow nanoparticles with strong capacity to migrate into inflammatory sites and neutralize proinflammatory cytokines and increase the delivery efficiency of microRNA-10b into adult mammalian cardiomyocytes (CMs) by fusing with cell membranes and leading to the release of MSNs-miR into cytosol. Upon NM@miR administration, this nanoparticle could home to the injured myocardium, restore the local immunity, and efficiently deliver microRNA-10b to cardiomyocytes, which could reduce the activation of Hippo-YAP pathway mediated by excessive cytokines and exert the best proliferative effect of miR-10b. This combination therapy could finally improve cardiac function and mitigate ventricular remodeling. Consequently, this work offers a combination strategy of immunity modulation and proliferative molecule delivery to boost cardiac regeneration after injury.

Influência da via hippo em carcinomas de células escamosas de língua oral / Influence of the hippo pathway on oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas

O carcinoma de células escamosas de língua oral (CCELO) apresenta altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. Apesar dos progressos alcançados nesta área, os pesquisadores continuam em busca de biomarcadores moleculares que tenham valor preditivo no prognóstico dos pacientes e que possibilitem o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias terapêuticas. Neste contexto, várias pesquisas têm destacado o papel da via Hippo com esta finalidade. Portanto, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar se as proteínas relacionadas à Via Hippo, LATS2 e YAP1, exercem alguma influência sobre o comportamento biológico dos CCELOs. A amostra foi constituída por 26 casos de CCELO e 8 casos de mucosa oral normal como controle. Para avaliar a morfologia dos CCELOs foram utilizadas as gradações propostas pela OMS (2005) e por Almangush et al. (2014). O perfil imunoistoquímico de LATS2 e YAP1 foi avaliado por escores (0-3), com base na sua imunoexpressão em localização intracelular (núcleo e/ou citoplasma) e distribuição epitelial. Para a análise entre os parâmetros estudados foram realizados os testes estatísticos Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Exato de Fisher. A análise de sobrevida foi realizada através do método de Kaplan Meier e do teste log-rank. Para todas as avaliações foram considerados valores significativos com p<0,05. Foi observada alta expressão da LATS2 tanto em mucosa oral normal (100%) quanto na maioria dos CCELOs (73,1%), sem diferença estatística significativa (p=0,160). Foi possível evidenciar o aumento da imunoexpressão da YAP nos casos de CCELO em comparação à mucosa oral normal (p<0,001). Verificou-se ainda que a baixa expressão da LATS2 foi associada com menores taxas de sobrevida livre da doença (p=0,039). Além disso, constatou-se que a elevada expressão da YAP foi associada à classificação de alto risco do modelo BD (p=0,034), sugerindo que a imunoexpressão desta proteína pode estar associada a TEM e invasão celular em CCELO. A elevada expressão de ambas as proteínas, na maioria dos CCELOs, sugere que outras vias de sinalização, além da regulação através da LATS2, podem estar induzindo a expressão nuclear de YAP nestes tumores. Portanto, conclui-se que a via Hippo pode influenciar o comportamento biológico dos CCELOs (AU).

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) has high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite the progress made in this area, researchers continue to search for molecular biomarkers that have predictive value in the prognosis of patients and allow the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this context, several studies have highlighted the role of the Hippo pathway for this purpose. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate whether the proteins related to the Hippo pathway, LATS2 and YAP1, have some influence on the OTSCC biological behavior. The sample consisted of 26 OTSCC cases and 8 normal oral mucosa cases as control. For the morphological assessment of OTSCC, the gradations proposed by the WHO (2005) and by Almangush et al. (2014) were performed. The immunohistochemical profile of LATS2 and YAP1 was evaluated by scores (0-3), based on their immunoexpression in intracellular location (nucleus and/or cytoplasm) and epithelial distribution. Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's Exact statistical tests were performed for the analysis of the studied parameters. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. For all evaluations, values with p<0.05 were considered significant. High expression of LATS2 was observed both in normal oral mucosa (100%) and in most OTSCC (73,1%), with no statistically significant difference (p=0,160). It was possible to observe the increase in YAP immunoexpression in cases of OTSCC compared to the normal oral mucosa (p<0.001). It was also found that the LATS2 low expression was associated with lower rates of disease-free survival (p=0.039). Furthermore, YAP high expression was found associated with the BD model's high-risk classification (p=0.034), suggesting this protein immunoexpression may be associated with EMT and cell invasion in OTSCC. The high expression of both proteins in most OTSCC suggests that other signaling pathways, in addition to regulating through LATS2, may be inducing the nuclear YAP expression in these tumors. Therefore, it is concluded that the Hippo pathway can influence the OTSCC biological behavior (AU).

Mechanism and clinical significance of YAP in the progression of gastric cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Gastric cancer is one of the common malignant tumors with a high incidence in China. With the deepening of the research on tumor molecular biology, molecular targeted therapy has shown its advantages, and immunotherapy has attracted much attention. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an effector protein that plays a major role in Hippo pathway, and it can regulate the growth of cells after binding with transcription factors in the nucleus. In recent years, many studies have shown that the high expression of YAP is closely related to the occurrence, development and metastasis of gastric cancer, and may be an important target of chemotherapy resistance. The further study can provide reference for clinical treatment.

Discovery of a subtype-selective, covalent inhibitor against palmitoylation pocket of TEAD3

The TEA domain (TEAD) family proteins (TEAD1‒4) are essential transcription factors that control cell differentiation and organ size in the Hippo pathway. Although the sequences and structures of TEAD family proteins are highly conserved, each TEAD isoform has unique physiological and pathological functions. Therefore, the development and discovery of subtype selective inhibitors for TEAD protein will provide important chemical probes for the TEAD-related function studies in development and diseases. Here, we identified a novel TEAD1/3 covalent inhibitor (DC-TEADin1072) with biochemical IC

Role of the Hippo signaling pathway in the development and progression of primary liver cancer / 临床肝胆病杂志

The incidence rate of primary liver cancer continues to increase around the world, with a younger age of onset and poorer prognosis. As the most classic regulator of cell polarity and density, mechanical signal transduction, cell proliferation, and organ development, the Hippo pathway can promote the development and progression of various cancers including primary liver cancer. YAP, a classic nuclear effector of the Hippo pathway, is significantly upregulated in primary liver cancer and promotes the development of drug resistance. This article aims to investigate the association of the dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway with the development and progression of primary liver cancer and analyzes the mechanism of action of the Hippo signaling pathway in the drug resistance of primary liver cancer as an early event of the development of primary liver cancer, which is of great significance for exploring new treatment strategies for primary liver cancer.

Effect and mechanism of YAP in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury / 器官移植

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of mice. Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham operation group (Sham group), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) + Sham group, IRI group and LPA+IRI group, 10 mice in each group. Liver tissue and serum samples were collected at 6 h after ischemia-reperfusion. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected. Histopathological changes and macrophage infiltration of liver tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining. The protein expression level of YAP was detected by Western blot. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 were quantitatively measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Western blot results demonstrated that the protein expression level of YAP in the LPA+IRI group was significantly up-regulated than that in the IRI group. Compared with the Sham group, the ALT and AST were significantly higher in the IRI group (both P < 0.05). The serum levels of ALT and AST in the LPA+IRI group were significantly lower than those in the IRI group (both P < 0.05). HE staining revealed that the morphology of hepatocytes was normal in the Sham group and LPA + Sham group. Pathological changes, such as liver congestion, liver cell swelling and structural abnormalities of hepatic lobule, occurred in the LPA+IRI group and IRI group. Compared with the IRI group, pathological changes were alleviated in the LPA+IRI group. RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1 and IL-6 in the LPA+IRI group were lower than those in the IRI group (all P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical demonstrated that LPA partially inhibited macrophage infiltration in ischemic tissues after IRI. Conclusions YAP can significantly mitigate hepatic IRI. The mechanism is associated with the regulation of macrophage recruitment and activation.

G0/G1 Switch 2 Induces Cell Survival and Metastasis through Integrin-Mediated Signal Transduction in Human Invasive Breast Cancer Cells

Human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, is highly invasive and aggressive, compared to less invasive cell line, MCF-7. To explore the genes that might influence the malignancy of MDA-MB-231, DNA microarray analysis was performed. The results showed that G0/G1 switch 2 (G0S2) was one of the most highly expressed genes among the genes upregulated in MDA-MB-231. Although G0S2 acts as a direct inhibitor of adipose triglyceride lipase, action of G0S2 in cancer progression is not yet understood. To investigate whether G0S2 affects invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells, G0S2 expression was inhibited using siRNA, which led to decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Consequently, G0S2 inhibition inactivated integrin-regulated FAK-Src signaling, which promoted Hippo signaling and inactivated ERK1/2 signaling. In addition, G0S2 downregulation decreased β-catenin expression, while E-cadherin expression was increased. It was demonstrated for the first time that G0S2 mediates the Hippo pathway and induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, our results suggest that G0S2 is a major factor contributing to cell survival and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells.

Effects of Hippo pathway on differentiation, proliferation, migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To explore the effects of Hippo pathway on differentiation, proliferation, and migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. Methods BMSCs of C57BL/6 mice were identified using fluorescence-activated cellsorting analysis and the capabilities of osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation were evaluated. The differentiation of BMSCs to typeⅡalveolar epithelial cells (AECⅡ) was induced by indirect co-culture with mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12) and small airway epithelial cell growth medium (SAGM). The Hippo pathway was regulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and 9E1, the effects of 2-DG and 9E1 on the expression of BMSCs surface proteins (SPB, SPC and SPD) mRNA and pro-SPC protein were detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot. The effect of Hippo pathway on differentiation of BMSCs to AECⅡ cells was evaluated. The effect of Hippo pathway on the proliferation of BMSCs was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay (intervention of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 mmol/L 2-DG). The scratch test and Transwell chamber test were used to analyze the effect of Hippo pathway on migration ability of BMSCs to conditioned medium of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) lung tissue. Results 2-DG could activate Hippo pathway in a dose-dependent manner and promote the differentiation to AECⅡ and proliferation of BMSCs, the maximum effects were observed after 5 mmol/L of 2-DG treatment [SPB mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 2.42±0.28 vs. 1.89±0.11, SPC mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 8.06±0.68 vs. 6.59±0.79, SPD mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 6.45±0.37 vs. 5.27±0.28, pro-SPC/β-actin: 5.80±1.86 vs. 4.93±1.18, proliferation rate:(145.46±18.18)% vs. (98.91±4.36)%, all P < 0.05], but 9E1 could reverse those effects through inhibition of Hippo pathway [SPB mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 1.32±0.17 vs. 1.89±0.11, SPC mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 3.91±0.34 vs. 6.59±0.79, SPD mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 3.38±0.25 vs. 5.27±0.28, pro-SPC/β-actin: 2.48±0.17 vs. 4.93±1.18, proliferation rate: (80.00±7.27)% vs. (98.91±4.36)%, all P < 0.05]. The ability of horizontal migration [wound healing: (27.17±3.53)% vs. (52.45±6.52)%, P < 0.05] and homing BMSCs to conditioned medium of ARDS lung tissue [cell count (fold, relative to control): 2.77±0.21 vs. 1.90±0.19, P < 0.05] were increased after activation of Hippo pathway by 2-DG treatment, but those effects were reversed after inhibition of Hippo pathway by 9E1 treatment [wound healing: (79.89±8.42)% vs. (52.45±6.52)%, cell count (fold, relative to control): 1.69±0.13 vs. 1.90±0.19, both P < 0.05]. Conclusion Activation of Hippo pathway could enhance differentiation of BMSCs to AECⅡ, promote proliferation and ability of horizontal migration and homing BMSCs to conditioned medium of ARDS lung tissue in vitro.

Research advances on the roles of Hippo pathway in inflammation and tumor immunity / 解放军医学杂志

Hippo pathway, regulating the activity of related Yes protein (Yap/Yki) by four major kinases: Hipdo (Hpo), Salvador (Sav), Warts (Wts) and Mob tumor suppressor (Mats), regulates the cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation, and further controls the organ size. In recent years, it has been found that Hippo pathway is diverse in different local micro-environments and under the interaction of various signal molecules, and plays an important role in inflammation and immune response: antimicrobial effect in Drosophila sp., anti-infection effect in mammals, and participation in tumor immune response, etc. The activation state of the key protein, Yap, of the Hippo signal pathway helps to protect the tumor cells from immune clearance, up-regulates the secretion of the chemokine CXCL5, and promotes the immune escape of the tumor immune from the recruitment of the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) of the immunosuppressive cells; transcription and translation of death ligand 1 (PD-L1) by Yap in the regulation of mRNA and protein levels. A comprehensive understanding of Hippo pathway is of great significance for the study of potential molecular therapeutic targets for tumors.

Large tumor suppressor gene 2-mediated Hippo signaling pathway regulates the biological behavior of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective@#To investigate the regulatory effect of Hippo signaling pathway mediated by large tumor suppressor gene 2 (LATS2) on biological behavior of mice bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro.@*Methods@#BMSCs of C57BL/6 mice were cultured in vitro and passed to the 6th to 7th generations for experiment. BMSCs with activated and inactivated LATS2 were constructed with lentiviral vectors transfections. The BMSCs were allocated to blank control group (MSC group), empty vector control group (MSC-eGFP group), LATS2-overexpressing group (MSC-LATS2 group), empty vector without LATS2 shRNA control group (MSC-shcontrol group) and LATS2-underexpressing group (MSC-shLATS2 group). The transduction efficiencies mediated by the lentiviral vectors were evaluated by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of LATS2, phosphorylation of Yes associated protein (p-YAP) and 14-3-3 were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blot respectively. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs were evaluated through alizarin red and oil red O staining. Proliferation of BMSCs was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The effect of Hippo pathway on horizontal and vertical migration ability of BMSCs was measured by the scratch test and Transwell chamber test.@*Results@#The transduction efficiencies mediated by the lentiviral vectors were 93.1%-97.1%. Compared with MSC-eGFP group, the expressions of LATS2, p-YAP and 14-3-3 in MSC-LATS2 group were significantly elevated [LATS2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 2.55±0.13 vs. 1.08±0.05, LATS2/GAPDH: 2.63±0.11 vs. 1.06±0.08, p-YAP/total YAP: 1.67±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.04, 14-3-3/β-actin: 2.22±0.20 vs. 0.98±0.06, all P < 0.05], however, compared with MSC-shcontrol group, the expressions in MSC-shLATS2 group were significantly reduced [LATS2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 0.10±0.01 vs. 1.01±0.05, LATS2/GAPDH: 0.09±0.01 vs. 1.05±0.06, p-YAP/total YAP: 0.10±0.02 vs. 1.10±0.09, 14-3-3/β-actin: 0.05±0.01 vs. 0.90±0.08, all P < 0.05]. It suggested that high and low expression of LATS2 could activate or inhibit Hippo pathway. The osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and proliferation rate of BMSCs in MSC-LATS2 group were significantly lower than those in MSC-eGFP group, however, those in MSC-shLATS2 group were significantly higher than MSC-shontrol group (all P < 0.05). It suggested that high and low expression of LATS2 could inhibit or promote osteogenesis, adipogenesis and cell proliferation of BMSCs. Scratch test and Transwell chamber test showed that the degree of scratch healing in MSC-LATS2 group was significantly lower than that in MSC-eGFP group [(22.11±3.02)% vs. (45.99±6.58)%], while the number of cells migrating to the subventricular layer of Transwell was significantly reduced (cells/MP: 20.82±3.05 vs. 111.33±13.28, both P < 0.05); the degree of scratch healing in MSC-shLATS2 group was significantly higher than that in MSC-shcontrol group [(70.32±7.17)% vs. (39.28±2.98)%], the number of cells migrating to the subventricular layer of Transwell was increased significantly (cells/MP: 206.19±30.58 vs. 120.10±25.10, both P < 0.05). It suggested that high and low expression of LATS2 could inhibit or promote the horizontal and vertical migration of BMSCs.@*Conclusion@#LATS2-mediated alteration of Hippo pathway could modulate differentiation, proliferation, and migration of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Large tumor suppressor gene 2-mediated Hippo signaling pathway regulates the biological behavior of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of Hippo signaling pathway mediated by large tumor suppressor gene 2 (LATS2) on biological behavior of mice bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. Methods BMSCs of C57BL/6 mice were cultured in vitro and passed to the 6th to 7th generations for experiment. BMSCs with activated and inactivated LATS2 were constructed with lentiviral vectors transfections. The BMSCs were allocated to blank control group (MSC group), empty vector control group (MSC-eGFP group), LATS2-overexpressing group (MSC-LATS2 group), empty vector without LATS2 shRNA control group (MSC-shcontrol group) and LATS2-underexpressing group (MSC-shLATS2 group). The transduction efficiencies mediated by the lentiviral vectors were evaluated by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of LATS2, phosphorylation of Yes associated protein (p-YAP) and 14-3-3 were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blot respectively. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs were evaluated through alizarin red and oil red O staining. Proliferation of BMSCs was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The effect of Hippo pathway on horizontal and vertical migration ability of BMSCs was measured by the scratch test and Transwell chamber test. Results The transduction efficiencies mediated by the lentiviral vectors were 93.1%-97.1%. Compared with MSC-eGFP group, the expressions of LATS2, p-YAP and 14-3-3 in MSC-LATS2 group were significantly elevated [LATS2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 2.55±0.13 vs. 1.08±0.05, LATS2/GAPDH: 2.63±0.11 vs. 1.06±0.08, p-YAP/total YAP: 1.67±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.04, 14-3-3/β-actin: 2.22±0.20 vs. 0.98±0.06, all P < 0.05], however, compared with MSC-shcontrol group, the expressions in MSC-shLATS2 group were significantly reduced [LATS2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 0.10±0.01 vs. 1.01±0.05, LATS2/GAPDH: 0.09±0.01 vs. 1.05±0.06, p-YAP/total YAP: 0.10±0.02 vs. 1.10±0.09, 14-3-3/β-actin: 0.05±0.01 vs. 0.90±0.08, all P < 0.05]. It suggested that high and low expression of LATS2 could activate or inhibit Hippo pathway. The osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and proliferation rate of BMSCs in MSC-LATS2 group were significantly lower than those in MSC-eGFP group, however, those in MSC-shLATS2 group were significantly higher than MSC-shontrol group (all P < 0.05). It suggested that high and low expression of LATS2 could inhibit or promote osteogenesis, adipogenesis and cell proliferation of BMSCs. Scratch test and Transwell chamber test showed that the degree of scratch healing in MSC-LATS2 group was significantly lower than that in MSC-eGFP group [(22.11±3.02)% vs. (45.99±6.58)%], while the number of cells migrating to the subventricular layer of Transwell was significantly reduced (cells/MP:20.82±3.05 vs. 111.33±13.28, both P < 0.05); the degree of scratch healing in MSC-shLATS2 group was significantly higher than that in MSC-shcontrol group [(70.32±7.17)% vs. (39.28±2.98)%], the number of cells migrating to the subventricular layer of Transwell was increased significantly (cells/MP: 206.19±30.58 vs. 120.10±25.10, both P < 0.05). It suggested that high and low expression of LATS2 could inhibit or promote the horizontal and vertical migration of BMSCs. Conclusion LATS2-mediated alteration of Hippo pathway could modulate differentiation, proliferation, and migration of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Regulation of TAZ in cancer

TAZ, a transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif, is encoded by WWTR1 gene (WW domain containing transcription regulator 1). TAZ is tightly regulated in the hippo pathway-dependent and -independent manner in response to a wide range of extracellular and intrinsic signals, including cell density, cell polarity, F-actin related mechanical stress, ligands of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), cellular energy status, hypoxia and osmotic stress. Besides its role in normal tissue development, TAZ plays critical roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stemness in multiple human cancers. We discuss here the regulators and regulation of TAZ. We also highlight the tumorigenic roles of TAZ and its potential therapeutic impact in human cancers.

Roles of Hippo signaling in lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‑related mortality in the world, with more than 1 million deaths/year. Over the past years, lung cancer treatment has been based on cytotoxic agents and an improvement in the outcome and quality of life for patients has been observed. However, it has become clear that additional therapeutic strategies are urgently required to provide an improved survival benefit for patients. A major intracellular signaling pathway, the Hippo signaling pathways have been extensively studied in neoplasia, including lung cancer. Furthermore, the study of constitutively activated receptor and their downstream signaling mediators has become a promising new field of investigation for lung cancer treatment. Nevertheless for lung cancer, this approach has not been successful yet. Here, we will review the molecular basis of Hippo signaling in lung cancer and further discuss the therapeutic potential of multi‑targeted strategies involving Yes‑associated protein inhibitors.

Research progress on cancer treatment targeting the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway / 中国肿瘤临床

Hippo pathway is a signaling network involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, whereas Yes-asso-ciated protein (YAP) is the major effector of the pathway. YAP is a candidate oncogene, and dysregulation of the Hippo-YAP pathway is closely related to the occurrence and progression of various tumors. Therefore, Hippo-YAP may provide a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Some drugs or compounds that regulate the Hippo-YAP pathway activity, such as verteporfin, can inhibit the occur-rence or growth of tumors. This review mainly focuses on the progress of studies on the use of Hippo-YAP signaling pathway as a tar-get of cancer treatment strategies.

Role of Hippo pathway in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To explore the role of Hippo pathway in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD),and find potential targets for drug therapy.Methods By means of immunofluorescence staining,Western blotting,Real-time PCR,the differences of sublocalization,expression and phosphorylation level about Hippo pathway molecules in Han:SPRD (cy/+) and ADPKD patients compared with the control were observed.Knockdown Yes kinaseassociated protein (YAP),transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) and large tumor suppressor kinase1 (LATS1) in cystic lining epithelium cell line WT9-12 were took by siRNA interference,and then their effects on cell proliferation,apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed.Results In cystic lining epithelium of Han:SPRD(cy/+),decreased expression of LATS1 and increased expression of YAP were found compared with the control,and the immunofluorescence of YAP was distributed both in cytoplasm and nucleus,while distribution and expression level of TAZ were without significant variance.Abnormal mRNA expressions of Hippo pathway components in ADPKD patients were found (P ＜ 0.05).Down-regulation of LATS1 in WT9-12 cells could prohibit phosphorylation of YAP,and prompted proliferation and cell division.Knockdown YAP in WT9-12 cells could inhibited cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle in G0/G1 phase,but down-regulating TAZ showed no significant differences in proliferation and cell cycle.Conclusions Altered Hippo signaling exists in ADPKD,and YAP activation may be one leading cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease onset.In vitro,knockdown YAP in WT9-12 cells can inhibit cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle and depressing cell division,suggesting the expression level and activity of YAP are potential targets for ADPKD treatment.