The mechanosensitive Ca2+-permeable ion channel PIEZO1 promotes satellite cell function in skeletal muscle regeneration

Muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), myogenic stem cells in skeletal muscle, play an essential role in muscle regeneration. During the regeneration process, cues from the surrounding microenvironment are critical for the proliferation and function of MuSCs. However, the mechanism by which mechanical stimuli from the MuSCs niche is converted into biochemical signals to promote muscle regeneration is yet to be determined. Here, we show that PIEZO1, a calcium ion (Ca2+)-permeable cation channel that is activated by membrane tension, mediates the spontaneous Ca2+ influx to controls the regenerative function of MuSCs. Our genetically engineering approach in mice revealed that PIEZO1 is functionally expressed in MuSCs, and the conditional deletion of Piezo1 in MuSCs delays myofiber regeneration after myofiber injury, which is at least in part due to the growth defect in MuSCs via the reduction in RhoA-mediated actomyosin formation. Thus, we provide the first evidence in MuSCs that PIEZO1, a bona fide mechanosensitive ion channel, promotes the proliferative and regenerative function during skeletal muscle regeneration.