[PDF][PDF] Astrocytic Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction determines adult neurogenesis and cognitive functions

S Chi, Y Cui, H Wang, J Jiang, T Zhang, S Sun, Z Zhou… - Neuron, 2022 - cell.com
S Chi, Y Cui, H Wang, J Jiang, T Zhang, S Sun, Z Zhou, Y Zhong, B Xiao
Neuron, 2022cell.com
Adult brain activities are generally believed to be dominated by chemical and electrical
transduction mechanisms. However, the importance of mechanotransduction mediated by
mechano-gated ion channels in brain functions is less appreciated. Here, we show that the
mechano-gated Piezo1 channel is expressed in the exploratory processes of astrocytes and
utilizes its mechanosensitivity to mediate mechanically evoked Ca 2+ responses and ATP
release, establishing Piezo1-mediated mechano-chemo transduction in astrocytes. Piezo1 …
Summary
Adult brain activities are generally believed to be dominated by chemical and electrical transduction mechanisms. However, the importance of mechanotransduction mediated by mechano-gated ion channels in brain functions is less appreciated. Here, we show that the mechano-gated Piezo1 channel is expressed in the exploratory processes of astrocytes and utilizes its mechanosensitivity to mediate mechanically evoked Ca2+ responses and ATP release, establishing Piezo1-mediated mechano-chemo transduction in astrocytes. Piezo1 deletion in astrocytes causes a striking reduction of hippocampal volume and brain weight and severely impaired (but ATP-rescuable) adult neurogenesis in vivo, and it abolishes ATP-dependent potentiation of neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation in vitro. Piezo1-deficient mice show impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and learning and memory behaviors. By contrast, overexpression of Piezo1 in astrocytes sufficiently enhances mechanotransduction, LTP, and learning and memory performance. Thus, astrocytes utilize Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction mechanisms to robustly regulate adult neurogenesis and cognitive functions, conceptually highlighting the importance of mechanotransduction in brain structure and function.
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