title: Downregulation of the Yes-Associated Protein Is Associated with Extracellular Matrix Disorders in Ascending Aortic Aneurysms.
abstract: Previous studies indicate that extracellular matrix (ECM) disorders lead to the apoptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs), which impairs the aortic wall by reducing the generation of elastic fibers, and ultimately result in ascending aortic aneurysm. The critical role of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been elucidated in cardiac/SMC proliferation during cardiovascular development. However, the association of YAP expression and extracellular matrix disorders in ascending aortic aneurysms is not clear. Here, we present for the first time that the downregulation of YAP in VSMCs is associated with ECM disorders of the media in ascending aortic aneurysms. We found that aortic ECM deteriorated with increased apoptotic VSMCs. Moreover, expression of YAP was dramatically reduced in the aortic walls of patients with ascending aortic aneurysms, while the normal aortic samples exhibited abundant YAP in the VSMCs. These results suggest that downregulation of YAP leads to apoptosis of VSMCs, which are essential for the homeostasis of the aortic wall. The resultant ECM disorders affect aortic structure and function and contribute to the development of ascending aortic aneurysms. In summary, through assessment of clinical samples, we revealed the association between downregulation of YAP in VSMCs and the development of ascending aortic aneurysms, providing new insight into the pathogenesis of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Haiyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disorders, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Wenjian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disorders, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Jialong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Xiaolong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Yuyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disorders, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disorders, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing 10029, China; The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Aortic Disease Center, Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Vascular Prostheses, Beijing 10029, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disorders, Beijing 10029, China.
authors.forename: Hongjia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang