The effect of hippo signaling pathway activator and inhibitors on the cardiac cells during the fetus development in mice

The hippo signaling pathway plays a role in various processes that take place at the cellular level, including organ growth. YAP, Hippo signaling transcription coactivator, is involved in the expression of many genes. Therefore, activation or inhibition of the hippo signaling pathway is thought to be effective on the development of heart cells. Also, Wnt signaling plays a role in various cellular processes such as differentiation, growth, and correlates with the Hippo signal pathway. In this study, mice were divided into four groups: control (NT), DMSO, Verteporfin and C2 Ceramide. The weights of the fetuses taken from the mother were evaluated at 18,5 days of fetal development. The expression levels of YAP, β-catenin, and GATA-4 genes in the heart tissues of 10.5 and 18.5 day old mouse embryos were examined by immunohistochemistry after administration of Verteporfin, an activator of the Hippo signal pathway and C2 Ceramide an inhibitor of hippo pathway. In addition, heart tissues were evaluated morphologically by staining with PAS, trichrome and hematoxylin-eosin stain. According to the results of the experiments performed, the weight of verteporfin applied fetuses was significantly lower than the other groups.According to the Results of immunohistochemistry, YAP, β-catenin and GATA-4 expression in the Verteporfin group were decreased significantly compared to NT and DMSO groups, whereas YAP, β-catenin and GATA-4 expression in the C2 Ceramide group increased significantly.There was no difference between the groups on morphology with HE staining. There was a difference in epicardium and myocardium between groups with trichrome staining, whereas there was a difference in Verteporfin group with PAS staining.