Piezo1-Mediated Calcium Signaling Reinforces Mechanical Properties Of Hair Follicle Stem Cells To Promote Quiescence

    May 2025 in “ Science Advances ”
    Jingjing Wang, Chaoyu Fu, S Y Chang, C.P. Stephens, Haimin Li, Dongmei Wang, Yuheng C. Fu, Kathleen J. Green, Jie Yan, Rui Yi
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    Studysummary In this study, researchers reported that hair follicle stem cells maintain quiescence through a PIEZO1-dependent mechanism that senses mechanical forces and translates them into localized calcium influx, involving a transcriptional network that regulates cell adhesion and cytoskeleton-related genes. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    This study identifies PIEZO1-mediated calcium signaling as essential for maintaining the quiescence and mechanical properties of hair follicle stem cells (HF-SCs). PIEZO1 interacts with E-cadherin to sense mechanical forces, triggering localized calcium flickers that activate transcription factors like NFATC1 and AP1. These factors regulate genes related to the extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, and actin cytoskeleton, reinforcing HF-SC quiescence. Deleting PIEZO1 disrupts calcium influx, leading to reduced cell adhesion and compromised mechanical properties, which accelerates hair regeneration cycles. The research highlights the potential of targeting PIEZO1 pathways to influence hair growth and alopecia.
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