YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation as a downstream target of mechanical stimuli promotes anabolic activity in human articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts

Abstract

Purpose: Mechanical loading is considered important to joint health. While physiological loading promotes joint tissue homeostasis and maintains joint function, abnormal or pathophysiological mechanical loading leads to the onset and progression of OA. However, the precise intracellular mechanisms of joint tissue response to external mechanical cues still remains unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP) together with its transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) has been widely studied as a mechanotransducer in many cell types.