Science,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
365(6454), P. 695 - 699
Published: Aug. 15, 2019
An
essential
prerequisite
for
the
survival
of
an
organism
is
ability
to
detect
and
respond
aversive
stimuli.
Current
belief
that
noxious
stimuli
directly
activate
nociceptive
sensory
nerve
endings
in
skin.
We
discovered
a
specialized
cutaneous
glial
cell
type
with
extensive
processes
forming
mesh-like
network
subepidermal
border
skin
conveys
thermal
mechanical
sensitivity.
demonstrate
direct
excitatory
functional
connection
neurons
provide
evidence
previously
unknown
organ
has
physiological
role
sensing
Thus,
these
cells,
which
are
intimately
associated
unmyelinated
nerves,
inherently
mechanosensitive
transmit
information
nerve.
Science,
Journal Year:
2016,
Volume and Issue:
354(6312), P. 578 - 584
Published: Nov. 3, 2016
The
mammalian
nervous
system
encodes
many
different
forms
of
pain,
from
those
that
arise
as
a
result
short-term
low-grade
interactions
with
noxious
thermal,
chemical,
or
mechanical
sources
to
more
serious
pain
induced
by
trauma
and
disease.
In
this
Review,
we
highlight
recent
advances
in
our
understanding
the
neural
circuits
encode
these
types
pain.
Promising
therapeutic
strategies
based
on
are
also
highlighted.
Science,
Journal Year:
2018,
Volume and Issue:
362(6413), P. 464 - 467
Published: Oct. 26, 2018
Activation
of
stretch-sensitive
baroreceptor
neurons
exerts
acute
control
over
heart
rate
and
blood
pressure.
Although
this
homeostatic
baroreflex
has
been
described
for
more
than
80
years,
the
molecular
identity
mechanosensitivity
remains
unknown.
We
discovered
that
mechanically
activated
ion
channels
PIEZO1
PIEZO2
are
together
required
baroreception.
Genetic
ablation
both
Piezo1
Piezo2
in
nodose
petrosal
sensory
ganglia
mice
abolished
drug-induced
aortic
depressor
nerve
activity.
Awake,
behaving
animals
lack
Piezos
had
labile
hypertension
increased
pressure
variability,
consistent
with
phenotypes
baroreceptor-denervated
humans
failure.
Optogenetic
activation
Piezo2-positive
afferents
was
sufficient
to
initiate
mice.
These
findings
suggest
long-sought
mechanosensors
critical
control.
New England Journal of Medicine,
Journal Year:
2016,
Volume and Issue:
375(14), P. 1355 - 1364
Published: Sept. 21, 2016
The
senses
of
touch
and
proprioception
evoke
a
range
perceptions
rely
on
the
ability
to
detect
transduce
mechanical
force.
molecular
neural
mechanisms
underlying
these
sensory
functions
remain
poorly
defined.
stretch-gated
ion
channel
PIEZO2
has
been
shown
be
essential
for
aspects
mechanosensation
in
model
organisms.We
performed
whole-exome
sequencing
analysis
two
patients
who
had
unique
neuromuscular
skeletal
symptoms,
including
progressive
scoliosis,
that
did
not
conform
standard
diagnostic
classification.
In
vitro
messenger
RNA
assays,
functional
brain
imaging,
psychophysical
kinematic
tests
were
used
establish
effect
genetic
variants
protein
function
somatosensation.Each
patient
carried
compound-inactivating
PIEZO2,
each
selective
loss
discriminative
perception
but
nevertheless
responded
specific
types
gentle
stimulation
hairy
skin.
profoundly
decreased
leading
ataxia
dysmetria
markedly
worse
absence
visual
cues.
However,
they
perform
tasks,
such
as
walking,
talking,
writing,
are
considered
heavily
proprioception.Our
results
show
is
determinant
humans.
(Funded
by
National
Institutes
Health
Intramural
Research
Program.).
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
11(1)
Published: Jan. 15, 2020
Abstract
Wolff’s
law
and
the
Utah
Paradigm
of
skeletal
physiology
state
that
bone
architecture
adapts
to
mechanical
loads.
These
models
predict
existence
a
mechanostat
links
strain
induced
by
forces
remodeling.
However,
how
influences
remodeling
remains
elusive.
Here,
we
find
Piezo1
deficiency
in
osteoblastic
cells
leads
loss
mass
spontaneous
fractures
with
increased
resorption.
Furthermore,
-deficient
mice
are
resistant
further
resorption
hind
limb
unloading,
demonstrating
PIEZO1
can
affect
osteoblast-osteoclast
crosstalk
response
forces.
At
mechanistic
level,
loads,
controls
YAP-dependent
expression
type
II
IX
collagens.
In
turn,
these
collagen
isoforms
regulate
osteoclast
differentiation.
Taken
together,
our
data
identify
as
major
mechanosensor
tunes
homeostasis.
Piezo1
ion
channels
mediate
the
conversion
of
mechanical
forces
into
electrical
signals
and
are
critical
for
responsiveness
to
touch
in
metazoans.
The
apparent
sensitivity
varies
substantially
across
cellular
environments,
stimulating
methods
protocols,
raising
fundamental
questions
what
precise
physical
stimulus
activates
channel
how
its
is
regulated.
Here,
we
measured
currents
evoked
by
membrane
stretch
three
patch
configurations,
while
simultaneously
visualizing
measuring
geometry.
Building
on
this
approach,
developed
protocols
minimize
resting
curvature
tension
prior
probing
activity.
We
find
that
responds
lateral
with
exquisite
as
compared
other
mechanically
activated
can
drive
inactivation,
thereby
tuning
overall
Piezo1.
Our
results
explain
function
efficiently
adaptable
a
sensor
stimulation
diverse
contexts.
Pharmacological Reviews,
Journal Year:
2018,
Volume and Issue:
70(2), P. 315 - 347
Published: March 2, 2018
Injury
to
or
disease
of
the
nervous
system
can
invoke
chronic
and
sometimes
intractable
neuropathic
pain.
Many
parallel,
interdependent,
time-dependent
processes,
including
neuroimmune
interactions
at
peripheral,
supraspinal,
spinal
levels,
contribute
etiology
this
"disease
pain."
Recent
work
emphasizes
roles
colony-stimulating
factor
1,
ATP,
brain-derived
neurotrophic
factor.
Excitatory
processes
are
enhanced,
inhibitory
attenuated
in
dorsal
horn
throughout
somatosensory
system.
This
leads
central
sensitization
aberrant
processing
such
that
tactile
innocuous
thermal
information
is
perceived
as
pain
(allodynia).
Processes
involved
onset
differ
from
those
its
long-term
maintenance.
Opioids
display
limited
effectiveness,
less
than
35%
patients
derive
meaningful
benefit
other
therapeutic
approaches.
We
thus
review
promising
targets
have
emerged
over
last
20
years,
Na+,
K+,
Ca2+,
hyperpolarization-activated
cyclic
nucleotide–gated
channels,
transient
receptor
potential
channel
type
V1
adenosine
A3
receptors.
Despite
progress,
gabapentinoids
retain
their
status
first-line
treatments,
yet
mechanism
action
poorly
understood.
outline
recent
progress
understanding
show
how
has
provided
insights
into
cellular
actions
pregabalin
gabapentin.
Interactions
with
α2δ-1
subunit
voltage-gated
Ca2+
channels
produce
multiple
neuron
type-specific
cord
higher
centers.
suggest
drugs
affect
rather
a
single
specific
target,
greatest
promise
for
future
development.