"The researchers found PIEZO2-expressing neurons wrapping around all four chambers of the mouse heart in intricate, weblike structures. There are such neurons in the human heart as well."
"When the researchers injected mice with a toxin that selectively killed the PIEZO2 neurons in the heart, however, their blood pressure plummeted, and they failed to recover."
"When the researchers induced hemorrhaging in the mice, the PIEZO2 neurons acted long before sensors in the arteries would have been able to sound the alarm, suggesting that they have a direct line on blood volume."
Researchers identified heart neurons in mice that express the protein PIEZO2, which helps regulate blood pressure during changes in posture. These neurons wrap around all four heart chambers and respond to pressure changes. In experiments, healthy mice adjusted their heart rates when positioned upright, but those with PIEZO2 neurons destroyed experienced severe drops in blood pressure. The findings suggest these neurons can detect blood volume changes before arterial sensors, indicating their significant role in cardiovascular regulation.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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