# Cellular and molecular mechanism of Hippo signaling in suppressing liver tumor formation

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2022 · $379,977

## Abstract

Summary
Recent studies have expanded the concept that inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression. It is
now clear that the tumor microenvironment largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable
participant in neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration. In the last few decades,
immunotherapy has become increasingly important in treating cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need to
better understand cancer-immune interactions, particular under specific contexts of cells, tissues and deficient
molecular pathways involved. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary malignancy of the liver and
the second-leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide is an example of inflammation-induced cancer.
Chronic viral hepatitis, metabolic liver diseases, and alcohol abuse cause chronic inflammation, which induces
fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Macrophages function in the initiation and maintenance of inflammation and
fibrosis and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) play critical roles during cancer progression. However, the
cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying reciprocal interaction between macrophages and pre-tumor/
tumor cells remain largely unknown. The Hippo signaling pathway has recently emerged as a major
oncosuppressive pathway and play critical roles inhibiting hepatocyte proliferation, survival and HCC formation.
Central to the Hippo pathway is the inhibition of Yap/Taz transcription factors by a kinase cascade starting from
the Hippo kinase, which are Mst1 and Mst2 in mammals. As macrophage infiltration is dramatically increased
in livers with Mst1 and Mst2 removed in hepatocytes, the goal of this proposal is to determine a previously
unknown functional mechanism by which Hippo signaling in hepatocytes attenuates hepatocarcinogenesis by
inhibiting macrophage infiltration and TAM differentiation. Our preliminary studies have led to the identification
of two secreted effectors of Hippo signaling in hepatocytes, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(Mcp1 or Ccl2)
and Jagged 1 (Jag1), that each partially mediates Hippo effects in restricting inflammatory response and tumor
growth. We hypothesize that a previously unknown function of Hippo signaling in hepatocytes is to regulate
pro-tumor immune response by at least partially inhibiting Mcp1 and Jag1 expression. In Specific Aim 1, we will
determine the molecular mechanism underlying TAM differentiation regulated by Hippo signaling in
hepatocytes. In Specific Aim 2, we will determine the functions of macrophages in tumorigenesis in the
hepatocyte specific Mst1/2 DKO, Mst1/2/Mcp1 TKO and Mst1/2/Jag1 TKO liver. In Specific Aim 3, we will
determine the mechanisms whereby Hippo signaling in hepatocytes inhibits expression of Mcp1 and other
factors. The knowledge gained from the proposed studies will establish a solid new foundation for further
mechanistic investigation of hepatic Hippo signaling in inducing inflammation, tumor microenvironment
r...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10449975
- **Project number:** 5R01CA222571-05
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Yingzi Yang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $379,977
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-30 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10449975

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10449975, Cellular and molecular mechanism of Hippo signaling in suppressing liver tumor formation (5R01CA222571-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10449975. Licensed CC0.

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