Submolecular modulation of PIEZO1 mechanotransduction with wireless tailor-made nanoswitches
from distinct domains of PIEZO1 were used as templates for synthesizing magnetically responsive molecularly imprinted nanoparticles. These nanoswitches showed sub-nanomolar affinity for their respective epitope and recognized PIEZO1 in endothelial cells, similarly to antibodies. Applying magnetic fields to actuate PIEZO1 through nanoswitches led to increased calcium signaling, Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear translocation, and significant changes in the expression of genes related to PIEZO1 activity, implying that they can transduce the stimulus into intracellular signaling effects. Finally, this wireless actuation system proved to be effective in differentially modulating the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells. Remarkably, the selective targeting of each epitope led to contrasting downstream signaling cascades, implying distinct roles for each superstructure domain in the sophisticated function of these channels. Overall, this technology constitutes a promising tool for studying PIEZO-mediated mechanobiology, opening perspectives for harnessing its potential toward therapeutic approaches.
Authors
- Rui M. A. Domingues (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3654-9906)
- Jana B. Nieder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4973-1889)
- Pablo Taboada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2903-7857)
- Simão P. B. Teixeira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2764-4319)
- Jess G. Snedeker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8115-0275)
- Brent M. Bijonowski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9906-9176)
- Manuela E. Gomes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2036-6291)
- Maja Wolleb (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6256-2754)
- Alberto Pardo
- Mariana T. Carvalho
Institutions
- Universidade do Porto (PT)
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (ES)
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Barco (Belgium) (BE)
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering (CH)
- University Hospital of Zurich (CH)
- Universitätsklinik Balgrist (CH)
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (PT)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Bioactive Materials
- Published
- 2026-04-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.051
- Primary Topic
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
- Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia
- Xunta de Galicia
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- European Research Council
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- European Social Fund