| First Author | Chi S | Year | 2022 |
| Journal | Neuron | Volume | 110 |
| Issue | 18 | Pages | 2984-2999.e8 |
| PubMed ID | 35963237 | Mgi Jnum | J:328279 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7334683 | Doi | 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.07.010 |
| Citation | Chi S, et al. (2022) Astrocytic Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction determines adult neurogenesis and cognitive functions. Neuron |
| abstractText | 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 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. |
