Piezo1 regulates shear-dependent nitric oxide production in human erythrocytes

Abstract

The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 is expressed in enucleated red blood cells and provides a mechanisms of shear-induced red cell nitric oxide production via nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation. Thiol oxidation of red cells decreases Piezo1-dependent calcium movement and thus impairs nitric oxide generation in response to mechanical force. The emerging descriptions of exclusively posttranslational signaling networks in circulating red cells as acute regulators of cell function support that these cells play an important role in cardiovascular physiology that extends beyond passive oxygen transport.