Yang Bo, Li Zhenyu, Li Peiliang, Liu Yuhan, Ding Xinghuan, Feng Enshan
Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
National Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Channels (Austin). 2025 Dec;19(1):2492161. doi: 10.1080/19336950.2025.2492161. Epub 2025 Apr 13.
Microglia, the central nervous system (CNS) resident immune cells, are pivotal in regulating neurodevelopment, maintaining neural homeostasis, and mediating neuroinflammatory responses. Recent research has highlighted the importance of mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals, in regulating microglial activity. Among the various mechanosensitive channels, Piezo1 has emerged as a key player in microglia, influencing their behavior under both physiological and pathological conditions. This review focuses on the expression and role of Piezo1 in microglial cells, particularly in the context of neuroinflammation and tumorigenesis. We explore how Piezo1 mediates microglial responses to mechanical changes within the CNS, such as alterations in tissue stiffness and fluid shear stress, which are common in conditions like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia, and gliomas. The review also discusses the potential of targeting Piezo1 for therapeutic intervention, given its involvement in the modulation of microglial activity and its impact on disease progression. This review integrates findings from recent studies to provide a comprehensive overview of Piezo1's mechanistic pathways in microglial function. These insights illuminate new possibilities for developing targeted therapies addressing CNS disorders with neuroinflammation and pathological tissue mechanics.
小胶质细胞作为中枢神经系统（CNS）中的常驻免疫细胞，在调节神经发育、维持神经稳态以及介导神经炎症反应方面发挥着关键作用。最近的研究突出了机械转导（即细胞将机械刺激转化为生化信号的过程）在调节小胶质细胞活性中的重要性。在各种机械敏感通道中，Piezo1已成为小胶质细胞中的关键参与者，在生理和病理条件下均影响其行为。本综述聚焦于Piezo1在小胶质细胞中的表达及作用，特别是在神经炎症和肿瘤发生的背景下。我们探讨Piezo1如何介导小胶质细胞对中枢神经系统内机械变化的反应，例如组织硬度和流体剪切应力的改变，这些变化在多发性硬化症、阿尔茨海默病、脑缺血和神经胶质瘤等病症中很常见。鉴于Piezo1参与调节小胶质细胞活性及其对疾病进展的影响，本综述还讨论了将Piezo1作为治疗靶点的潜力。本综述整合了近期研究的结果，以全面概述Piezo1在小胶质细胞功能中的作用机制途径。这些见解为开发针对伴有神经炎症和病理性组织力学的中枢神经系统疾病的靶向治疗方法带来了新的可能性。
