Although the experimental samples analyzed herein do not allow us to state conclusively that YAP expression and transcriptional activity has a causal effect on COD pathogenesis, the potential functions exerted by CTGF, BIRC5 and ANKRD1 (YAP-TEAD-target genes that were increased in cystic GCs herein) may represent strong evidence of its potential key role in cyst formation and persistence. This evidence concerns the gene BIRC5 and cyst.