Piezo1：the potential new therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases

• Published in: Progress in biophysics and molecular biology Vol. 184; pp. 42 - 49
• Main Authors: Liu, Xin, Niu, Weipin, Zhao, Shuqing, Zhang, Wenjuan, Zhao, Ying, Li, Jing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2023
• ISSN: 0079-6107; 1873-1732; 1873-1732
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.09.001

Fibrosis is a pathological process that occurs in various organs, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to structural damage and, in severe cases, organ failure. Within the fibrotic microenvironment, mechanical forces play a crucial role in shaping cell behavior and function, yet the precise molecular mechanisms underlying how cells sense and transmit these mechanical cues, as well as the physical aspects of fibrosis progression, remain less understood. Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel protein, serves as a pivotal mediator, converting mechanical stimuli into electrical or chemical signals. Accumulating evidence suggests that Piezo1 plays a central role in ECM formation and hemodynamics in the mechanical transduction of fibrosis expansion. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the role of Piezo1 in fibrosis progression, encompassing conditions such as myocardial fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, and other fibrotic diseases. The main goal is to pave the way for potential clinical applications in the field of fibrotic diseases.