The mechanism and research progress of Piezo1 in bone homeostasis
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20240628-00374
- VernacularTitle:Piezo1在骨稳态中的作用机制与研究进展
- Author:
Chaomin LI
1
;
Bin ZHAO
1
;
Meiling CHU
1
;
Guanghua YANG
1
Author Information
1. 上海中医药大学附属第七人民医院普外科，上海 200137
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Osteoporosis;
Stress, mechanical;
Ion channels;
Piezo1;
Bone homeostasis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2025;45(5):317-326
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The growth and atrophy of bones are closely related to the mechanical stress they experience. Mechanotransduction, a fundamental biological signal transmission mechanism, enables cells to convert external mechanical forces into intracellular signaling responses through the secretion of protein factors and activation of signaling pathways. Piezo1 is a mechanosensitive ion channel that detects mechanical stress (such as pressure, stretch, and shear force), induces Ca 2+ influx, and transduces these signals into intracellular responses, playing a crucial role in bone homeostasis. Encoded by the Fam38A gene, Piezo1 possesses a distinctive 38-transmembrane helical structure that forms a bowl-shaped, trimeric propeller-like configuration. This unique structure allows it to function as a mechanical transducer, sensing mechanical stimuli at the cell membrane and transmitting mechanical signals. In the skeletal system, Piezo1 contributes to maintaining the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption by regulating the functions of macrophages, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, chondrocytes, osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts, as well as through signaling pathways such as Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, and MAPK. Additionally, studies have demonstrated a significant association between Piezo1 gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications in osteoporosis treatment via the osteogenic-angiogenic coupling mechanism. This review summarizes the mechanisms and recent research progress on the Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel in bone homeostasis. By elucidating Piezo1’s role in bone metabolism, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases in clinical practice.
