Involvement of Piezo 1 in inhibition of shear-induced platelet activation and arterial thrombosis by ginsenoside Rb1.

Background and Purpose: Shear-induced platelet activation and aggregation (SIPA) play crucial roles in arterial thrombosis. Piezo1 is a mechanosensitive calcium channel that promotes platelet hyperactivation under pathological high-shear conditions. This study explores the function of platelet Piezo1 in SIPA and arterial thrombosis, and the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rb1 on these processes.
Experimental Approach: Transgenic mice with platelet-specific Piezo1 deficiency (Piezo1 ^ΔPlt ) were used to elucidate the role of platelet Piezo1 in SIPA and arterial thrombosis. A microfluidic channel system was employed to assess platelet aggregation, calcium influx, calpain activity, talin cleavage, integrin αIIbβ3 activation and P-selectin expression under shear flow. Cellular thermal shift assay was used to determine binding between Rb1 and Piezo1. Folts-like model in mice was used to evaluate antithrombotic effects of Rb1.
Key Results: Piezo1 deficiency in platelets reduced platelet activation and aggregation induced by a high shear rate of 4000 s ^-1 and attenuated arterial thrombosis induced by Folts-like mouse model. Rb1 inhibited SIPA with an IC ₅₀ of 10.8 μM. Rb1 inhibited shear-induced Ca ²⁺ -dependent platelet activation and aggregation, as well as thrombus formation in Folts-like model in Piezo1 ^fl/fl mice. Rb1 significantly improved thermal stability of Piezo1 in platelets by binding to Piezo1. Treatment of Piezo1 ^ΔPlt mice with Rb1 did not exhibit further inhibitory effects on SIPA and thrombosis.
Conclusion and Implications: Platelet Piezo1 is essential for SIPA and arterial thrombosis induced by high shear. Rb1 exerted anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects at high shear rates via Piezo1 channels, providing a potential candidate as antiplatelet therapeutic agent.
(© 2025 The Author(s). British Journal of Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society.)