GSE208293
The Role of Mechanoregulated YAP/TAZ in Erectile Dysfunction
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) are the primary therapeutic option for erectile dysfunction. However, 30% of patients do not respond to PDE5is treatment, making the quest for a new treatment modality a central endeavor. Here, we found a new pathway in erectile function control, mechano-regulated YAP/TAZ activate Adrenomedullin transcription, which sustains smooth muscle cells (SMCs) relaxation to maintain the erection. We first found that penile erection stretches the SMCs, dominating YAP/TAZ activity. Subsequently, we showed that YAP/TAZ plays a vital role in erectile function and penile rehabilitation using genetic lesions and several animal models. The mechanism relies on the regulation of Adrenomedullin on penile SMCs contraction, which we identify here as a direct YAP/TAZ transcript. Notably, conventional PDE5is targeting NO-cGMP signaling do not cure YAP/TAZ deficient ED. In contrast, by activating YAP/TAZ-Adrenomedullin cascade, mechano-stimulation improved erectile function, including PDE5is non-responders in both experimental models and clinical trials. Our studies lay the groundwork for exploring mechano-YAP/TAZ-Adrenomedullin as prospective targets in the treatment of ED Overall design: Data from samples with erectile dysfunction