Katya Ravid* and Alessandra Balduini
Years after the discovery of Piezo1/2 cation channels by Ardem Patapoutian and colleagues [1], investigations have continued, unfolding intriguing properties of these channels, the name of which means squeeze/press in Greek. Piezo1 and Piezo 2 are expressed in various cell types, with varying responses to mechanical forces projected by the extracellular matrix. The role of Piezo1 protein in maintenance of red blood cells shape and function has been reported in context of human mutations affecting this channel. A recent paper by Abbonante, et al. [2] described new roles for Piezo1 in affecting the development of a relatively rare hematopoietic cell, the Megakaryocyte (MK), as well as the level of its progeny, blood platelets, in health and disease.
PDFShare this article
Journal of Blood & Lymph received 443 citations as per Google Scholar report