Piezo1-mediated regulation of smooth muscle cell volume in response to enhanced extracellular matrix rigidity.
Robert T JohnsonReesha SolankiFinn WostearSultan AhmedJames C K TaylorJasmine ReesGeraad AbelJames McCollHelle F JørgensenChris J MorrisStefan BidulaDerek T WarrenPublished in: British journal of pharmacology (2023)
In response to extracellular matrix rigidity, VSMC volume is increased by a piezo1/PKC/aquaporin-1 mediated pathway. Pharmacological targeting of this pathway specifically blocks the matrix rigidity enhanced VSMC volume response, leaving VSMC contractility on healthy mimicking matrices intact. Importantly, upregulation of both piezo1 and aquaporin-1 gene expression is observed in disease relevant VSMC phenotypes.