Emerging Piezo1 signaling in inflammation and atherosclerosis; a potential therapeutic target

Int J Biol Sci. 2022 Jan 1;18(3):923-941. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.63819. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Atherosclerosis is the principal cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which are the major cause of death worldwide. Mechanical force plays an essential role in cardiovascular health and disease. To bring the awareness of mechanosensitive Piezo1 role in atherosclerosis and its therapeutic potentials we review recent literature to highlight its involvement in various mechanisms of the disease. Recent Findings: Recent studies reported Piezo1 channel as a sensor, and transducer of various mechanical forces into biochemical signals, which affect various cellular activities such as proliferation, migration, apoptosis and vascular remodeling including immune/inflammatory mechanisms fundamental phenomenon in atherogenesis. Summary: Numerous evidences suggest Piezo1 as a player in different mechanisms of cell biology, including immune/inflammatory and other cellular mechanisms correlated with atherosclerosis. This review discusses mechanistic insight about this matter and highlights the drugability and therapeutic potentials consistent with emerging functions Piezo1 in various mechanisms of atherosclerosis. Based on the recent works, we suggest Piezo1 as potential therapeutic target and a valid candidate for future research. Therefore, a deeper exploration of Piezo1 biology and translation towards the clinic will be a novel strategy for treating atherosclerosis and other CVDs.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Endothelial cell; Inflammation; Piezo1 channel; mechanomedicine; shear stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Atherosclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Ion Channels* / genetics
  • Ion Channels* / metabolism
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • PIEZO1 protein, human