Proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, mediated by YAP and TAZ, contributes to liver repair and regeneration after liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2018 Apr 1;314(4):G471-G482. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00153.2017. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Abstract

Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are key regulators of cell proliferation and organ size; however, their physiological contribution after liver injury has not been fully understood. In this study, we sought to determine the role of YAP and TAZ during liver recovery after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). A murine model of partial (70%) I/R was used to induce liver injury and study the reparative and regenerative response. After liver injury, there was marked activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells. The Hippo pathway components, large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1) and its adapter protein, Mps one binder 1 (MOB1), were inactivated during liver repair, and YAP and TAZ were activated selectively in hepatic stellate cells. Concurrently, the expression of connective tissue growth factor and survivin, both of which are YAP and TAZ target genes, were upregulated. Hepatic stellate cell expansion and concomitant activation of YAP and TAZ occurred only in the injured liver and were not observed in the nonischemic liver. Treatment of mice with verteporfin, an inhibitor of YAP and TAZ, decreased hepatic stellate cell proliferation, survivin, and cardiac ankyrin repeat protein expression. These changes were associated with a significant decrease in hepatocyte proliferation. The data suggest that liver repair and regeneration after I/R injury are dependent on hepatic stellate cell proliferation, which is mediated by YAP and TAZ. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to assess the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and their role in the reparative and regenerative process. Here we show that the Hippo pathway is inactivated after I/R and that Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) activation is detected in HSC. HSC proliferation and expansion are prominent during liver recovery after I/R injury. Inhibition of YAP/TAZ activation with verteporfin reduces HSC proliferation and target gene expression and attenuates hepatocyte proliferation.

Keywords: hepatic stellate cell proliferation; liver injury; liver regeneration; survivin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / metabolism*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / pathology
  • Hippo Signaling Pathway
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / genetics
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Liver Regeneration*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Reperfusion Injury / genetics
  • Reperfusion Injury / metabolism*
  • Reperfusion Injury / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MOB1 protein, mouse
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Wwtr1 protein, mouse
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • Yap1 protein, mouse
  • Lats1 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases