Mechanosensitive Yes-Associated Protein in Human Skin during Aging

Abstract

The aim of this work was to examine the content of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in fibroblasts and blood microvessels of human dermis from the development until deep aging (from 20 weeks of pregnancy until 85 years old), and defining of a role of YAP in age-dependent changes in the number of fibroblasts and blood microvessels in the dermis. YAP, proliferating cells nuclear antigen (PCNA), endothelial cells marker CD31 were detected with indirect immunohistochemical technique. Results showed that portion of fibroblasts with positive staining for YAP in the dermis is decreased from 20 weeks of pregnancy to 40 years old. Percent of YAP positive fibroblasts in dermis is increased sufficiently since 41 years old until 60-85 years old group. The content of YAP in blood microvessels in the human dermis is decreased sufficiently from 20 weeks of pregnancy until 40 years old. Age-related changes in the content of YAP in fibroblasts and blood microvessels is not statistically associated with an age-related decrease in total number and percent of PCNA positive fibroblasts, the number of blood vessels in the dermis.