Mechanosensation by endothelial PIEZO1 is required for leukocyte diapedesis

The extravasation of leukocytes is a critical step during inflammation that requires the localized opening of the endothelial barrier. This process is initiated by the close interaction of leukocytes with various adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 on the surface of endothelial cells. Here we reveal that mechanical forces generated by leukocyte-induced clustering of ICAM-1 synergize with fluid shear stress exerted by the flowing blood to increase endothelial plasma membrane tension and to activate the mechanosensitive cation channel PIEZO1. This leads to increases in [Ca2+](i) and activation of downstream signaling events including phosphorylation of tyrosine kinases sarcoma (SRC) and protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), as well as of myosin light chain, resulting in opening of the endothelial barrier. Mice with endothelium-specific Piezo1 deficiency show decreased leukocyte extravasation in different inflammation models. Thus, leukocytes and the hemodynamic microenvironment synergize to mechanically activate endothelial PIEZO1 and subsequent downstream signaling to initiate leukocyte diapedesis.

Automated summary

The extravasation of leukocytes, a critical step in inflammation, requires the close interaction between leukocytes and adhesion molecules on the endothelial cells. A recent study shows that mechanical forces generated by leukocyte-induced clustering of adhesion molecule ICAM-1 synergize with fluid shear stress from flowing blood to activate the mechanosensitive cation channel PIEZO1 on the endothelial plasma membrane. This leads to downstream signaling events that result in the opening of the endothelial barrier and facilitates leukocyte diapedesis.