Yes-associated protein 1 promotes bladder cancer invasion by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Purpose: To investigate the expression of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in bladder cancer, and to study its role in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer cells.

Material and methods: The expression of YAP1, vimentin, and E-cadherin was detected by immunohistochemistry in bladder cancer and para-carcinoma tissues. The relation between expression levels and overall survival of patients was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier estimates. Furthermore, YAP1 expression was knocked down in T24 and UMUC3 bladder cancer through transfection with YAP1-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA), and the impact on invasiveness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition was detected.

Results: Expression levels of YAP1 were higher in bladder cancer tissues, and increased YAP1 expression significantly correlated with poor patient outcomes and poor overall survival in bladder cancer patients. Furthermore, YAP1 siRNA significantly attenuated the invasion of bladder cancer cells and could reverse their epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Conclusion: YAP1 appears to play an important role in bladder cancer progression and is highlighted as a novel potential therapeutic target.