Piezo channel plays a part in retinal ganglion cell damage

Piezo channel is one of the mechanosensitive channels that senses pressure and shearing stress. Previous reports show that Piezo channel is expressed in many tissues such as skin and lung and they have many important roles. In addition, the mRNA of Piezo has been detected in astrocytes in the optic nerve head of mice. However, it is not yet clear where Piezo channel localize in eye and what kind of effects it have. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the expression sites of Piezo channel in mouse eyes and effect of Piezo channel on retinal ganglion cells. Immunostaining analysis showed that the Piezo 1/2 were expressed in the cornea, trabecular meshwork of the anterior ocular segment, lens epithelial cells, and on the retinal ganglion cell layer. The expression of retinal Piezo 2 was increased in retinal disorder model mouse caused by high IOP. Piezo 1 agonist Yoda 1 suppressed neurite outgrowth in retinal ganglion cells. On the other hand, Piezo antagonist GsMTx4 promoted neurite outgrowth in retinal ganglion cells. These findings indicate that Piezo channel may contribute to diseases relating the IOP such as glaucoma.