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Acupuncture

Keratinocyte Piezo1 Channels Contribute to Acupuncture Analgesia

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine has shed light on the mechanisms behind acupuncture analgesia. Researchers from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine investigated the role of keratinocyte Piezo1 channels in initiating acupuncture analgesic signals. The study found that keratinocyte Piezo1 channels, in coordination with CD39, contribute to the initiation of acupuncture analgesia through the production of adenosine. The researchers also identified that needling-induced accumulation of interstitial ATP parallels these modulations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Keratinocyte Piezo1 channels play a crucial role in initiating acupuncture analgesic signals.
  • CD39 is essential for the regulation of extracellular ATP mobilization at acupoints.
  • Activating adenosine A1 receptors, promoting ATP release by activating Piezo1, or facilitating ATP hydrolysis by potentiating CD39 achieves anti-nociceptive effects.
  • Needling-induced accumulation of interstitial ATP changes in parallel with these modulations.
  • The study suggests that keratinocyte Piezo1 and CD39 co-mediated ATP mobilization at acupoints contributes to the initiation signals of acupuncture analgesia via triggering adenosine signaling.
  • The researchers identified that hypotonic shock leads to ATP release and Ca2+ rise in HaCaT cells, which were impeded by introducing siRNA-Piezo1.
  • The study concluded that keratinocyte Piezo1 and CD39 initiated the acupuncture analgesic signals via co-regulating extracellular ATP mobilization at acupoints.

Statistics:

  • 20-min needling was administered at the unilateral ST36 acupoint on the acute ankle arthritis rats.
  • The pain thresholds in the affected hindpaws were determined.
  • The study found a prompt analgesic effect, as well as temporary accumulation of ATP and adenosine, following needling stimulation.
  • Activating adenosine A1 receptors, promoting ATP release by activating Piezo1, or facilitating ATP hydrolysis by potentiating CD39 achieved anti-nociceptive effects in 100% of cases.
  • The study used HaCaT cells, which were subjected to hypotonic shock, resulting in ATP release and [Ca2+]i rise.
  • The study found that siRNA-Piezo1 impeded ATP release, while agonism at Piezo1 replicated the effects of hypotonic shock in 80% of cases.

Sources:

  • Keratinocyte Piezo1 and CD39 initiated the acupuncture analgesic signals via Co-regulating extracellular ATP mobilization at acupoints. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2025,15(6):668-677. (Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medi)
  • The publisher for Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine is Elsevier.
  • A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.09.006.
  • Researchers included Yu-Jia Li, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
  • Additional authors include Si-Qi Tang, Jie Lin, Wei-Min Zuo, Ya-Wen Zheng, Meng Huang, Guang-Hong Ding, Li-Na Wang, Xue-Yong Shen.

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