Piezo1-Induced Nasal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction in Allergic Rhinitis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Allergic rhinitis (AR) involves nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction.
• The role of Piezo1 in AR pathogenesis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Piezo1's role in nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction in AR.
• To explore Piezo1's impact on tight junctions and the ERK1/2 pathway.

Main Methods:

• Collected human nasal mucosal samples and used a mouse model of AR.
• Utilized human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs) for in vitro studies.
• Assessed Piezo1, ERK1/2, and tight junction (TJ) component expression via RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting.

Main Results:

• Elevated Piezo1 expression in AR patients and AR mice.
• Reduced expression of TJ components (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1) in AR.
• Piezo1 knockdown in HNEpCs restored TJ levels and improved barrier integrity.
• Observed a negative correlation between Piezo1 and ERK1/2 expression.

Conclusions:

• Piezo1 is crucial for nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction in AR.
• Piezo1 modulates TJs and the ERK1/2 pathway in AR.
• Piezo1 represents a potential therapeutic target for allergic rhinitis.