CD44-RhoA-YAP pathway blockade reduces pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic cytokines production in fibroblasts. (A) NIH-3T3 fibroblasts grown on stiff (60 kappa) gel-coated plastic dishes were treated with anti-CD44 antibody (IM7) 10μg/mL or isotype-matched control IgG antibody for 12 hours, and qPCR analysis of Tgf-β1, Pai, Il-6, Il-8, Fn, and Col-1a1 mRNA levels was performed. (B) NIH-3T3 fibroblasts grown on stiff (60 kappa) gel-coated plastic dishes were transfected with NC or YAP siRNA for 48 hours, and qPCR analysis of Tgf-β1, Pai, Il-6, Il-8, Fn, and Col-1a1 mRNA levels was performed. (C-H) NIH-3T3 fibroblasts grown on stiff (60 kappa) gel-coated plastic dishes were treated with DMSO, 250 nM VP, or 37.5, 75, and 150 nM DHI for 12 hours, and qPCR analysis of Tgf-β1 (C), Pai (D), Il-6 (E), Il-8 (F), Fn (G), and Col-1a1 (H) mRNA levels was performed. (A-H) Data shown are representative of three independent experiments. Error bars indicate mean ± SD (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001).