Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body

The carotid sinus and the carotid body are major peripheral chemo- and baro(mechano)receptors that sense changes in arterial wall pressure and in oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in arterial blood. Recently, it was demonstrated that the PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 mechanoreceptor/mechanotransducers are responsi...

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Main Authors: Elda Alba, Yolanda García-Mesa, Ramón Cobo, Patricia Cuendias, José Martín-Cruces, Iván Suazo, Graciela Martínez-Barbero, José A. Vega, Olivia García-Suárez, Teresa Cobo
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/3/386
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author Elda Alba
Yolanda García-Mesa
Ramón Cobo
Patricia Cuendias
José Martín-Cruces
Iván Suazo
Graciela Martínez-Barbero
José A. Vega
Olivia García-Suárez
Teresa Cobo
author_facet Elda Alba
Yolanda García-Mesa
Ramón Cobo
Patricia Cuendias
José Martín-Cruces
Iván Suazo
Graciela Martínez-Barbero
José A. Vega
Olivia García-Suárez
Teresa Cobo
author_sort Elda Alba
collection DOAJ
description The carotid sinus and the carotid body are major peripheral chemo- and baro(mechano)receptors that sense changes in arterial wall pressure and in oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in arterial blood. Recently, it was demonstrated that the PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 mechanoreceptor/mechanotransducers are responsible for the baroreflex in the murine aortic arch (aortic sinus). Furthermore, some experimental evidence suggests that the carotid body could participate in mechanosensing. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in conjunction with laser confocal microscopy to study the distribution of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in the human carotid sinus and carotid body as well as in the petrosal ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve and the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 were detected in different morphotypes of sensory nerve formations in the walls of the carotid sinus and carotid artery walls. In the carotid body, PIEZO1 was present in a small population of type I glomus cells and absent in nerves, whereas PIEZO2 was present in both clusters of type I glomus cells and nerves. The most prominent expression of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in the carotid body was found in type II glomus cells. On the other hand, in the petrosal ganglion, around 25% of neurons were PIEZO1-positive, and around 85% were PIEZO2-positive; regarding the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion, around 71% and 86% displayed PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, respectively. The results of this study suggest that PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 could be involved in the detection and/or mechanotransduction of the human carotid sinus, whereas the role of the carotid body is more doubtful since PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 were only detected in some nerves and PIEZO2 was present in a small population of type I glomus cells, with PIEZO1 being absent in these cells. However, since immunoreactivity for PIEZO2 was detected in type II glomus cells, researchers should investigate whether these cells play a role in the detection of mechanical stimuli and/or participate in mechanotransduction.
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spelling doaj-art-a45beda8b25c46999d0af2dbb35b867f2025-08-20T03:43:30ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-03-0115338610.3390/biom15030386Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid BodyElda Alba0Yolanda García-Mesa1Ramón Cobo2Patricia Cuendias3José Martín-Cruces4Iván Suazo5Graciela Martínez-Barbero6José A. Vega7Olivia García-Suárez8Teresa Cobo9Instituto de Neurociencias Vithas, 28010 Madrid, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainServicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainGrupo SINPOS, Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainDepartamento de Cirugía y Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, SpainThe carotid sinus and the carotid body are major peripheral chemo- and baro(mechano)receptors that sense changes in arterial wall pressure and in oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in arterial blood. Recently, it was demonstrated that the PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 mechanoreceptor/mechanotransducers are responsible for the baroreflex in the murine aortic arch (aortic sinus). Furthermore, some experimental evidence suggests that the carotid body could participate in mechanosensing. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in conjunction with laser confocal microscopy to study the distribution of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in the human carotid sinus and carotid body as well as in the petrosal ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve and the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 were detected in different morphotypes of sensory nerve formations in the walls of the carotid sinus and carotid artery walls. In the carotid body, PIEZO1 was present in a small population of type I glomus cells and absent in nerves, whereas PIEZO2 was present in both clusters of type I glomus cells and nerves. The most prominent expression of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in the carotid body was found in type II glomus cells. On the other hand, in the petrosal ganglion, around 25% of neurons were PIEZO1-positive, and around 85% were PIEZO2-positive; regarding the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion, around 71% and 86% displayed PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, respectively. The results of this study suggest that PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 could be involved in the detection and/or mechanotransduction of the human carotid sinus, whereas the role of the carotid body is more doubtful since PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 were only detected in some nerves and PIEZO2 was present in a small population of type I glomus cells, with PIEZO1 being absent in these cells. However, since immunoreactivity for PIEZO2 was detected in type II glomus cells, researchers should investigate whether these cells play a role in the detection of mechanical stimuli and/or participate in mechanotransduction.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/3/386carotid sinuscarotid bodypetrosal ganglionsuperior cervical sympathetic ganglionnervesPIEZO ion channels
spellingShingle Elda Alba
Yolanda García-Mesa
Ramón Cobo
Patricia Cuendias
José Martín-Cruces
Iván Suazo
Graciela Martínez-Barbero
José A. Vega
Olivia García-Suárez
Teresa Cobo
Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body
Biomolecules
carotid sinus
carotid body
petrosal ganglion
superior cervical sympathetic ganglion
nerves
PIEZO ion channels
title Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body
title_full Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body
title_fullStr Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body
title_full_unstemmed Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body
title_short Immunohistochemical Detection of PIEZO Ion Channels in the Human Carotid Sinus and Carotid Body
title_sort immunohistochemical detection of piezo ion channels in the human carotid sinus and carotid body
topic carotid sinus
carotid body
petrosal ganglion
superior cervical sympathetic ganglion
nerves
PIEZO ion channels
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/3/386
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