TAOK1-mediated regulation of the YAP/TEAD pathway as a potential therapeutic target in heart failure

Background: This study aimed to determine the roles of interleukin (IL)-17, TAO kinase 1 (TAOK1), and NOD-like Receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in cardiomyocyte Pyroptosis and proliferation.

Methods: The IL-17-treated H9C2 cells were used as in vitro heart failure (HF) models. These cells were subjected to TAOK1 overexpression or knockdown and treated with BMS-986299 (NLRP3 inflammasome agonist), MCC950 (NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor), or verteporfin (Yes-associated protein [YAP] inhibitor). Thereafter, their Pyroptosis, proliferative capacity, and gene and protein expression levels were detected. Doxorubicin-induced HF rats were used as in vivo models and subjected to TAOK1 overexpression. Thereafter, their myocardial pathology, NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated Pyroptosis, and YAP/TEAD pathway function were evaluated.

Results: IL-17 treatment increased the Pyroptosis and decreased the proliferative capacity of H9C2 cells. Additionally, IL-17 treatment inducedto the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes and inhibition of the YAP/TEAD pathway in the H9C2 cells. Moreover, the IL-17-mediated effects on the H9C2 cells were alleviated by TAOK1 overexpression and augmented by TAOK1 knockdown. Furthermore, treatment with BMS-986299 or verteporfin affected the Pyroptosis, proliferative capacity, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation of the H9C2 cells independently of TAOK1 expression. In the doxorubicin-induced HF rat model, TAOK1 overexpression mitigated myocardial injury, suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome pathway activation, and restored the YAP/TEAD pathway activity.

Conclusion: TAOK1 played a crucial role in regulating IL-17-mediated increase in the Pyroptosis and decrease in the proliferation of cardiomyocytes by regulating the activities of the NLRP3 inflammasomes and the YAP/TEAD pathway.