Bu YY, Li X, Zhou TY, Gu JH, Zhu JN, Li JL, Zeng BB, Zu WB, Tang D. Piezo mechanosensitive channels: A biological hub for intestinal barrier homeostasis and an emerging target for disease intervention. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(33): 121284 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.121284]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dong Tang, MD, PhD, Department of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, No. 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. 83392785@qq.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
review-article
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Bu YY, Li X, Zhou TY, Gu JH, Zhu JN, Li JL, Zeng BB, Zu WB, Tang D. Piezo mechanosensitive channels: A biological hub for intestinal barrier homeostasis and an emerging target for disease intervention. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(33): 121284 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.121284]
Yu-You Bu, Xin Li, Tian-Yu Zhou, Jia-He Gu, Jia-Ning Zhu, Jia-Lu Li, Bin-Bin Zeng, Faculty of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
Wei-Bing Zu, Department of General Surgery, Haimen People’s Hospital, Nantong 226100, Jiangsu Province, China
Dong Tang, Department of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Bu YY and Tang D conceived the study and wrote the initial draft; Bu YY and Li X contributed to editing and figure generation; Zhou TY, Gu JH, Zhu JN, Li JL, Zeng BB, and Zu WB participated in revising the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version.
AI contribution statement: AI tools (specifically ChatGPT) were used solely for linguistic refinement and formatting assistance. No AI tool was involved in the generation of research data, interpretation of results, or formulation of conclusions. All AI-generated outputs were critically reviewed and revised by the authors.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Dong Tang, MD, PhD, Department of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, No. 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. 83392785@qq.com
Received: March 23, 2026 Revised: May 11, 2026 Accepted: June 22, 2026 Published online: September 7, 2026 Processing time: 142 Days and 11.2 Hours
Abstract
Intestinal homeostasis is regulated by a variety of signals such as mechanical signals, immunity and metabolism, and they need to be coordinated. However, how mechanical signals affect the intestinal barrier at the molecular level has not been fully figured out. The Piezo channels is an important sensor in cell mechanical transduction, which is common in mechanically sensitive cells in the intestine. Studies show that these channels are involved in intestinal development, and are also used to regulate barrier function and play a role in the immune regulation process. In existing studies, the Piezo channels help to repair the intestinal epithelium, promote mucus secretion, modulate immune responses, and mediate 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion by enterochromaffin cells. Therefore, it can be seen that the Piezo channel can maintain the integrity of the barrier, regulate intestinal peristalsis and visceral sensation. Once the function of the Piezo channel is abnormal, the intestinal barrier will be damaged and the inflammation will be aggravated. This change further promotes the occurrence of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer. Relevant studies have found that researchers can regulate the Piezo channel through the agonist Yoda1 or the inhibitor grammostola spatulata mechanosensitive channel toxin 4, which has been used to alleviate symptoms and also provides new the idea of treatment. This article discusses the role of Piezo channel in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and focuses on its impact on barrier integrity, immune regulation and intestinal peristalsis. At the same time, the article also analyzes the relationship between Piezo channels abnormal function and inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and cancer, and discusses the clinical treatment methods targeting these channels.
Core Tip: Piezo mechanical sensitive channel is the core mechanical transduction hub for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, which can convert mechanical force into biological signals. They regulate a complex network encompassing epithelial renewal, barrier integrity, immune response and gastrointestinal dynamics. Piezo channel dysfunction can directly drive the development of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer. Therefore, the pharmacological regulation of the Piezo channels by using specific drugs such as the agonist Yoda1 or the inhibitor grammostola spatulata mechanosensitive channel toxin 4 can provide a promising treatment strategy for the intestinal diseases.
