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Biology subjects

Chuntharpursat-Bon, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Chuntharpursat-Bon, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PIEZO1 force sensing controls global lipid homeostasis

How cardiovascular activity beneficially regulates lipid homeostasis is unclear. Here we hypothesise a mechanism in which mechanical force sensed by PIEZO1 ion channels in endothelium links blood flow to lipid regulation. We engineered mice for conditional deletion of PIEZO1 in endothelium and determined consequences for lipid regulation. Prominent are upregulated expression of hepatic Cyp7a1 and intestinal Ldlr genes, which are pivotal in cholesterol catabolism and excretion. Consistent with such regulation is endothelial PIEZO1-dependence of hepatic, intestinal and whole body cholesterol and bile homeostasis. There is organ perfusion-dependent gene regulation via endothelial PIEZO1 and downstream nitric oxide synthase. Endothelial PIEZO1-deleted mice are protected against hyperlipidaemia and ectopic fat deposition. Human PIEZO1 gene variants and a recapitulated human PIEZO1 gain-of-function variant in mice associate with dyslipidaemia. The data suggest lipid-promoting effects of endothelial force sensing and new opportunity for understanding and addressing problems of hyperlipidaemia.

physiology↗

Cell adhesion molecule interaction with Piezo1 channels is a mechanism for sub cellular regulation of mechanical sensitivity

The discovery of Piezo1 channels as force sensors with roles in the endothelial response to fluid flow has appeared contradictory to earlier work suggesting mediation by a triad of cell adhesion molecules (CD31 and VE-cadherin) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Here we propose an explanation. Stimulated emission depletion microscopy revealed physical proximity between Piezo1 and CD31 primarily at cell junctions. Forster resonance energy transfer measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging showed that the proteins approached to less than 10 nm. Substitution of a tyrosine residue at the distal C-terminus of CD31 prevented the interaction, suggesting intracellular association. The extracellular N-terminus also interacted, but exclusively at cell junctions. There was proximity between Piezo1 and VE-cadherin but not VEGFR2. Interaction with VE-cadherin was flow-dependent, consistent with additional recruitment after flow-sensing. CD31 suppressed mechanical sensitivity of Piezo1 channels and interacted with N-terminal Piezo1 propeller arms implicated in force sensing. The data suggest partnership between Piezo1 and adhesion molecules for sub cellular tuning of force response.

cell biology↗

The small molecule KHS101 induces bioenergetic dysfunction in glioblastoma cells through inhibition of mitochondrial HSPD1

Pharmacological inhibition of uncontrolled cell growth with small molecule inhibitors is a potential strategy against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most malignant primary brain cancer. Phenotypic profiling of the neurogenic small molecule KHS101 revealed the chemical induction of lethal cellular degradation in molecularly-diverse GBM cells, independent of their tumor subtype, whereas non-cancerous brain cells remained viable. Mechanism-of-action (MOA) studies showed that KHS101 specifically bound and inhibited the mitochondrial chaperone HSPD1. In GBM but not non-cancerous brain cells, KHS101 elicited the aggregation of an enzymatic network that regulates energy metabolism. Compromised glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) resulted in the metabolic energy depletion in KHS101-treated GBM cells. Consistently, KHS101 induced key mitochondrial unfolded protein response factor DDIT3 in vitro and in vivo, and significantly reduced intracranial GBM xenograft tumor growth upon systemic administration, without discernible side effects. These findings suggest targeting of HSPD1-dependent oncometabolic pathways as an anti-GBM therapy.

cancer biology↗