Cell Reports (Nov 2015)

Piezo1 in Smooth Muscle Cells Is Involved in Hypertension-Dependent Arterial Remodeling

  • Kevin Retailleau,
  • Fabrice Duprat,
  • Malika Arhatte,
  • Sanjeev Sumant Ranade,
  • Rémi Peyronnet,
  • Joana Raquel Martins,
  • Martine Jodar,
  • Céline Moro,
  • Stefan Offermanns,
  • Yuanyi Feng,
  • Sophie Demolombe,
  • Amanda Patel,
  • Eric Honoré

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2015.09.072
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 6
pp. 1161 – 1171

Abstract

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The mechanically activated non-selective cation channel Piezo1 is a determinant of vascular architecture during early development. Piezo1-deficient embryos die at midgestation with disorganized blood vessels. However, the role of stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) in arterial smooth muscle cells in the adult remains unknown. Here, we show that Piezo1 is highly expressed in myocytes of small-diameter arteries and that smooth-muscle-specific Piezo1 deletion fully impairs SAC activity. While Piezo1 is dispensable for the arterial myogenic tone, it is involved in the structural remodeling of small arteries. Increased Piezo1 opening has a trophic effect on resistance arteries, influencing both diameter and wall thickness in hypertension. Piezo1 mediates a rise in cytosolic calcium and stimulates activity of transglutaminases, cross-linking enzymes required for the remodeling of small arteries. In conclusion, we have established the connection between an early mechanosensitive process, involving Piezo1 in smooth muscle cells, and a clinically relevant arterial remodeling.