哺乳动物肺对于血液与外部环境之间的气体交换至关重要。而肺相关的疾病是现代人死亡的主要原因之一。肺的发育、再生和相关疾病的研究对临床治疗具有重要的指导作用。研究发现,Hippo信号通路参与细胞增殖与分化的调控、器官大小的控制,以及机械力的感应和传递。Hippo信号通路中的核心转录调控分子YAP/TAZ在肺部的多种细胞中均有表达,其表达及定位的变化在肺发育与再生中发挥着重要的调控作用。本文主要介绍了Hippo信号通路在肺生长发育中的功能及其与肺纤维化、肺癌的关系,并从肺泡力学和肺泡相关免疫两个角度对Hippo信号通路潜在的功能进行了展望。

The mammalian lung is essential for the gas exchange function between the circulation and the atmospheric environment. Lung diseases, including lung cancer, are among the leading causes of death in the modern society. Research on lung development, regeneration and cancer could provide significant insights for the development of therapeutic approaches on lung diseases. Hippo/YAP/TAZ signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, controls organ size, and plays an important role in response to mechanical forces. YAP/TAZ are expressed in many cell types and serve various regulatory functions in the embryonic and adult lungs. In this review, we mainly focus on the roles of Hippo/YAP/TAZ signaling pathway in embryonic lung development, regeneration and cancer. We postulate that Hippo/YAP/TAZ signaling may play potential roles in regulating the alveolar mechanics and immune responses in the lung.