Piezo2 protein: A novel regulator of tumor angiogenesis and hyperpermeability

Angiogenesis is important for invasive tumor growth and metastasis. Its inhibition is a promising tactic for limiting tumor progression. Here, we showed that Piezo2 knockdown led to decreased glioma angiogenesis and reduced vascular hyperpermeability. Piezo2 was highly expressed in tumor endothelial cells, and its knockdown suppressed vascular leakage and tumor angiogenesis. In a retinal vasculature development assay, corneal angiogenesis assay and a modified Miles assay, Piezo2 knockdown obviously decreased angiogenesis and vascular hyperpermeability. In vitro assays revealed that Piezo2 knockdown inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Moreover, In vitro co-culture system assay showed that Piezo2 knockdown in endothelial cells suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma tumor cells. Piezo2 could regulate glioma angiogenesis via Ca2+/Wnt11/beta-catenin signaling in endothelial cells. Taken together, these studies provide the evidence for Piezo2 as a critical regulator of tumor angiogenesis and vascular permeability.