Investigation on how mechanical force transducer PIEZO1 controls the polarization of tumor-associated neutrophils and its relationship with colorectal cancer development

Abstract

Nowadays, during the polarization of neutrophils, the function of the mechanical force transducer PIEZO1 is still unclear. Our research shows that the PIEZO1 gene knockout in tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) can suppress the polarization of TANs towards the N2 phenotype induced by TGF-β; Activating PIEZO1 by Yoda1 promotes polarization. We discover that cancer cell proliferation is enhanced by coculturing colorectal cancer cells with N2 TANs. On the contrary, when PIEZO1 is knocked out, the cancer development alleviates due to its prevention of TANs polarizing towards N2. Our research hints that mechanical force transducer PIEZO1 might be a new target spot during the treatment of colorectal cancer.