Axis of serotonin -pERK-YAP in liver regeneration

  • Yu Fang
  • , Chun Liu
  • , Bo Shu
  • , Mimi Zhai
  • , Chaolin Deng
  • , Chao He
  • , Ming Luo
  • , Tong Han
  • , Wei Zheng
  • , Jingyao Zhang
  • , Sushun Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and aim: Serotonin and YAP exhibit a vital role in regulating cell proliferation and wound-healing response. The aim of the study was to investigate whether 5-HT could promote liver regeneration by activating YAP. Methods: PH models were established by WT and TPH1−/− mice. ELISA, RT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and MTT assay were used to assess the level of 5-HT and YAP and proliferation after PH. Results: We found that 5-HT level was lower in the serum and liver of TPH1−/− mice. After PH, TPH1−/− mice, lacking in 5-HT, demonstrated worse regenerative ability and suffered more severe liver injury. Additionally, YAP expression was also lower in TPH1−/− mice. Moreover, we found that YAP expression was prominent within the first three days following PH. Similarly, 5-HT could promote cell proliferation by upregulating YAP expression in L-O2 cells. As predicted, using YAP-siRNA sharply reduced the proliferative capacity mediated by 5-HT. Further study also indicated that ERK participated in the regulation of YAP induced by 5-HT. By using an ERK inhibitor, the YAP expression and cell proliferation induced by 5-HT were both suppressed. Although YAP-siRNA was used to block YAP expression, pERK and ERK expression were not affected. Taken together, these data showed that 5-HT contributed to liver regeneration by regulating YAP expression, which at least in part, was by activation of pERK. Conclusion: A role of the 5-HT-pERK-YAP axis in liver regeneration emerged from our study and might be a potential target to promote regeneration and injury repair.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)490-497
Number of pages8
JournalLife Sciences
Volume209
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Sep 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Liver regeneration
  • Phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinases
  • Serotonin
  • TPH1 mice
  • Yes-associated protein

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