Piezo mechanosensitive channels: A biological hub for intestinal barrier homeostasis and an emerging target for disease intervention

Figure 2 Piezo regulates immune responses by coordinating macrophages and T/B cells. A: Piezo1 remodels F-actin via the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II- mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1/2-Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 signaling axis and enhances macrophage inflammation through calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; B: When activated by localized membrane tension, Piezo1 induces Ca²⁺ influx, activating calcium-dependent proteases and promoting reorganization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton, thereby preventing excessive immune responses in T and B cells. LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; TLR4: Toll-like receptor 4; NF-κB: Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; HIF-1α: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha; CaMKII: Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II; Mst1/2: Mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1/2; Rac1: Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1; F-actin: Filamentous actin; DCs: Dendritic cells; ECs: Enterochromaffin cells; NK cells: Natural killer cells; T/B cells: T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes; TCR: T cell receptor; BCR: B cell receptor.