Verteporfin Mitigates Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy by Attenuating IL-6/STAT3 in Cardiac Fibroblasts

Background: Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a major downstream nuclear coactivator of the Hippo pathway and is activated during myocardial hypertrophy. Verteporfin, a YAP inhibitor, may serve as a potential treatment for myocardial hypertrophy. Aim: This study was aimed at exploring the role and underlying mechanisms of verteporfin in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial hypertrophy both in vivo and in vitro. Methods: GSE18801 directs our focus toward the Hippo pathway role in myocardial hypertrophy. Using an ISO-induced myocardial hypertrophy rat model, YAP expression and localization were observed through Western blot and immunofluorescence. Histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and echocardiographic examinations were conducted to assess cardiac function. In vitro, primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were cultured with conditioned medium from cardiac fibroblasts (CF-CM) treated with ISO to observe cell hypertrophy. Mechanistically, GSE203358 dataset analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot were utilized to investigate the effects of ISO and verteporfin on IL-6, STAT3, and p-STAT3 levels in CFs. Subsequently, the changes in the IL-6/STAT3 pathway were evaluated in CFs treated with ISO and verteporfin. Additionally, recombinant IL-6 and IL-6 inhibitor were applied to CMs treated with CF-CM to observe changes in cardiomyocyte size. Results: Verteporfin improved cardiac performance in rats receiving ISO. In cultured NRCM, both ISO and CF-CM treated with ISO could induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Verteporfin did not attenuate ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, it could attenuate hypertrophy induced by the CF-CM treated with ISO. GSE203358 indicated the involvement of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway in the presence of verteporfin in CFs. Additionally, verteporfin reduces IL-6 production in cultured CFs subjected to ISO treatment. Notably, the effects of verteporfin on NRCM were reversed by IL-6. Conclusions: Verteporfin protects the heart against ISO-induced myocardial hypertrophy by regulating IL-6/STAT3 in cardiac fibroblasts.