PIEZO1, sensing the touch during erythropoiesis

Purpose of review Awarding the 2021 Nobel to Ardem Patapoutian for the discovery of the PIEZO mechanotransducers has emphasized the importance of touch-sensing mechanisms in cell physiology. It is well known that PIEZO1 is expressed at the surface of red blood cells where it adjusts their hydration status under mechanical constraints. Besides this, recent findings suggest that PIEZO1 plays a broader role in erythroid lineage. This review aims to actualize the knowledge on PIEZO1 functions all along erythropoiesis. Recent findings PIEZO1 is expressed in erythroid progenitors, and controls proliferation and differentiation of nucleated cells, as well as maturation of reticulocytes. As PIEZO1 detects displacements in the range of cell-cell interactions, it might mediate the interaction between the differentiating cells and their microenvironment through an inside-out activation of integrins on human erythroblasts as suggested by in-vitro data. Moreover, PIEZO1 is also expressed at the surface of macrophages where it regulates red blood cells clearance through erythrophagocytosis. Summary These new findings on PIEZO1 suggest a continuous effect of mechanotransduction all over erythropoiesis from progenitors to clearance of red blood cells. Therefore, they open a new era in the understanding of hereditary xerocytosis pathophysiology, helping identify new potential therapeutic targets for the future.

Automated summary

The awarding of the 2021 Nobel Prize to Ardem Patapoutian for the discovery of PIEZO mechanotransducers highlights the importance of touch-sensing mechanisms in cell physiology. PIEZO1, expressed on the surface of red blood cells, regulates their hydration status and has been found to play a broader role in erythroid lineage. Recent findings show that PIEZO1 is involved in proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of erythroid progenitor cells, as well as in the clearance of red blood cells by macrophages.