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Piezo1 plays a role in optic nerve head astrocyte reactivity
Jiafeng Liu1, Yong Yang1, Yang Liu2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, USA.
Experimental Eye Research
|January 19, 2021
Summary
Piezo1 channels in optic nerve head astrocytes respond to mechanical stress, influencing astrocyte reactivity. This discovery offers new insights into mechanotransduction in the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Piezo1 (Fam38A) is a critical mechanosensing channel involved in cellular mechanotransduction.
- Piezo1 activation in astrocytes is linked to neurodegeneration in the central nervous system.
- The function of Piezo1 in mouse optic nerve head astrocytes remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Piezo1 in the reactivity of optic nerve head astrocytes.
- To determine if Piezo1 is activated by mechanical stimulation in these cells.
Main Methods:
- Primary mouse optic nerve head astrocytes were cultured and subjected to mechanical stretch.
- Quantitative PCR and immunocytochemistry were used to assess Piezo1 expression.
- Astrocytes were treated with Yoda1 (a Piezo1 agonist) to measure intracellular calcium, F-actin, and fibronectin.
Main Results:
- Mechanical stretch was found to activate Piezo1 in optic nerve head astrocytes.
- Yoda1 treatment induced dose-dependent intracellular calcium (Ca2+) responses.
- Yoda1 exposure led to F-actin cytoskeleton redistribution and increased fibronectin expression, indicating astrocyte reactivity.
Conclusions:
- Piezo1 in optic nerve head astrocytes is responsive to mechanical stimuli.
- Piezo1 activation contributes to astrocyte reactivity, suggesting a role in optic nerve head mechanotransduction.
- This study provides novel insights into the function of Piezo1 in astrocytes.
