YAP-BIRC2 axis maintains cartilage stem/progenitor cell homeostasis in osteoarthritis. Rattus norvegicus

Lentivirus-mediated YAP (Lv-YAP) or lentivirus-mediated YAP RNAi (Lv-YAP-RNAi) was injected intra-articularly to modulate YAP expression in rat joints. In addition, allogeneic CSPCs overexpressing or silencing YAP were transplanted by intra-articularly injection. We also evaluated the functions of CSPC and the OA-related cartilage phenotype in the rat model. Finally, the transcriptome of OA-CSPCs overexpressing YAP was examined to explore the downstream targets of YAP in CSPC.In this study, dysregulation of the YAP-BIRC2 axis contributes to OA-CSPC dysfunction, impairs cartilage's intrinsic reparative ability, and accelerates OA progression. This provides a potential therapeutic target for OA.