Piezo1 regulates TGF-β1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in local tissue remodeling in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the function of Piezo1 in EMT process remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize potential roles of Piezo1 in EMT process in CRSwNP.

Overall, 22 nasal polyp (NP) tissues from patients with CRSwNP and 20 middle turbinate from healthy individuals were obtained during surgery. The expression of Piezo1, E-cadherin, vimentin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was measured by using western blot (Wb) in NP tissues and primary human nasal epithelial cells (pHNECs) and the location and level were assessed by immunofluorescence staining. BEAS-2B cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 to induce EMT in vitro model and examined using qRT-PCR. BEAS-2B cells were treated with Yoda1 and RuR to calculate protein level by Wb analysis. Yoda1 and RuR treated NP murine model was evaluated by H&E (hematoxylin-eosin) staining and immunohistochemistry.

Compared with the control group, E-cadherin was decreased while the level of Piezo1, vimentin, and α-SMA was increased in NP group. Piezo1, vimentin, and α-SMA were upregulated in TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cells. Yoda1 inhibited E-cadherin expression and promoted Piezo1 and the aforementioned mesenchymal markers, whereas RuR showed contrary results. The results from the murine model treated with Yoda1 and RuR were consistent with those results in the EMT model in vitro.

Piezo1 is linked with EMT process in CRSwNP and the activation of Piezo1 exacerbates EMT process of nasal polyps.