Piezo1-induced durotaxis of pancreatic stellate cells depends on TRPC1 and TRPV4 channels.

Cells, located on a substrate of differential stiffness, move toward regions with higher stiffness in a process called durotaxis. The exact mechanisms of sensing the changes in environmental stiffness during durotaxis are unclear. This study shows that mechanosensitive ion channels are crucial sensors in pancreatic stellate cell durotaxis. Key ion channels involved in sensing and transducing mechanical cues in these cells include Piezo1, TRPV4, and TRPC1. We found that these ion channels need to be in an intermediary active state to guide durotaxis. This helps to understand pancreatic cancer pathophysiology better and highlights mechanosensitive ion channels as targets to affect durotaxis.