Matrix Stiffness Activating YAP/TEAD1-Cyclin B1 in Nucleus Pulposus Cells Promotes Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Rationale: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a leading cause of disability in the elderly population. Rigid extracellular matrix is a critical pathological feature of disc degeneration, leading to aberrant nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) proliferation. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we hypothesize that increased matrix stiffness induces proliferation and thus degenerative phenotypes of NPCs through the YAP/TEAD1 signaling pathway.

Methods: We established hydrogel substrates to mimic stiffness of degenerated human nucleus pulposus tissues. RNA-sequencing identified differentially expressed genes between primary rat NPCs cultured on rigid and soft hydrogels. A dual luciferase assay and gain- and loss-function experiments evaluated the correlation between YAP/TEAD1 and Cyclin B1. Furthermore, single-cell RNA-sequencing of human NPCs was performed to identify specific cell clusters with high YAP expression.

Results: Matrix stiffness increased in severely degenerated human nucleus pulposus tissues (p < 0.05). Rigid substrate enhanced rat NPCs proliferation mainly through Cyclin B1, which was directly targeted and positively regulated by YAP/TEAD1. Depletion of YAP or Cyclin B1 arrested G2/M phase progression of rat NPCs and reduced fibrotic phenotypes including MMP13 and CTGF (p < 0.05). Fibro NPCs with high YAP expression were identified in human tissues and were responsible for fibrogenesis during degeneration. Furthermore, inhibition of the YAP/TEAD interaction by verteporfin suppressed cell proliferation and alleviated degeneration in a disc needle puncture model (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that elevated matrix stiffness stimulates fibro NPCs proliferation through the YAP/TEAD1-Cyclin B1 axis, indicating a therapeutic target for disc degeneration.