Y Yap-Tead Mediates Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha-Induced Hepatomegaly And Liver Regeneration In Mice

Background & aims Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα, NR1C1) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor involved in the regulation of lipid catabolism and energy homeostasis. PPARα activation induces hepatomegaly and plays an important role in liver regeneration, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Approach & results In this study, the effect of PPARα activation on liver enlargement and regeneration was investigated in several strains of genetically-modified mice. PPARα activation by the specific agonist WY-14643 significantly induced hepatomegaly and accelerated liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in wild-type mice and Pparafl/fl mice, while these effects were abolished in hepatocyte-specific Pparα-deficient (PparaΔHep ) mice. Moreover, PPARα activation promoted hepatocyte hypertrophy around the central vein area and hepatocyte proliferation around the portal vein area. Mechanistically, PPARα activation regulated expression of yes-associated protein (YAP) and its downstream targets (CTGF, CYR61 and ANKRD1) as well as proliferation-related proteins (CCNA1, CCND1 and CCNE1). Binding of YAP with the PPARα E domain was critical for the interaction between YAP and PPARα. PPARα activation further induced nuclear translocation of YAP. Disruption of the YAP-transcriptional enhancer factor domain family member (TEAD) association significantly suppressed PPARα-induced hepatomegaly, and hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation. In addition, PPARα failed to induce hepatomegaly in AAV-Yap shRNA-treated mice and liver-specific Yap-deficient (YapΔHep ) mice. Blockade of YAP signaling abolished PPARα-induced hepatocyte hypertrophy around the central vein area and hepatocyte proliferation around the portal vein area. Conclusions This study revealed a novel function of PPARα in regulating liver size and liver regeneration via activation of the YAP-TEAD signaling pathway. These findings have implications for understanding the physiological functions of PPARα and suggest its potential for manipulation of liver size and liver regeneration.