Effects of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension on expression of Hippo signaling pathway-related molecules in rat lung

AIM:To investigate the expression of Hippo signaling pathway-related molecules in the lung tissues of the rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline for exploring the significance of Hippo signaling pathway in the development of pulmonary hypertension. METHODS:SD rats (n=45) were randomly divided into control group (n=15) and model group (n=30). The rats in model group was given neck subcutaneous injection of monocrota-line at 60 mg/kg to establish pulmonary hypertension model, and the rats in control group was injected with the same volume of normal saline. Four weeks later, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured by right cardiac catheterization, and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) and right ventricular mass index (RVMI) were calculated. The remodeling of the pulmonary arterioles was observed by HE staining, and medial thickness/external diameter (M/E%) was evaluated. The fibrosis of lung tissues was detected by Masson staining. The protein expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP), tafazzin (TAZ) and TEAD was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the protein and mRNA levels of YAP, TAZ and TEAD in lung tissues were determined by Western blot and RT-qPCR. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the vascular wall in model group was thickened significantly, the M/E% was increased (P<0.01), the pulmonary fibrosis was obvious, and the RVSP and RVHI in model group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01). The immunohistochemical staining showed that the protein expression of YAP, TAZ and TEAD in the pulmonary arterioles in model group was significantly higher than that in control group. The YAP, TAZ and TEAD protein and mRNA levels in the lung tissues were also higher than those in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The activation of Hippo signaling molecules may promote the remodeling of pulmonary arterioles and further regulate the development of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.