The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 modulates the migration and immune response of microglia.

ABSTRACT: Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells, performing surveillance to promote homeostasis and healthy functioning. While microglial chemical signaling is well-studied, mechanical cues regulating their function are less well-understood. Here, we investigate the role of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in microglia migration, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and stiffness sensing. In Piezo1 knockout transgenic mice, we demonstrated the functional expression of Piezo1 in microglia and identified genes whose expression was consequently affected. Functional assays revealed that Piezo1 deficiency in microglia enhanced migration toward amyloid β-protein, and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide, both in vitro and <

SUBMITTER: Zhu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9926228 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature