Date of Completion
2025
Document Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Neuroscience, Pharmacology
Thesis Type
Honors College, College of Arts and Science Honors
First Advisor
Osama Harraz, PhD
Keywords
Ion channels, cerebral blood flow, oxidative stress, electrophysiology, neuroscience, pharmacology
Abstract
Signaling in the cerebrovasculature is critical for regulating cerebral blood flow. Changes in the concentrations of signaling species like calcium or reactive oxygen species can disrupt this regulation, contributing to aging and many diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, we measured the activity of the mechanosensitive, calcium-permeable Piezo1 channel in the presence of redox chemicals. We found that hydrogen peroxide enhanced Piezo1 activation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, while antioxidants prevented this effect. These results suggest that oxidative stress modulates Piezo1, providing new insights into how changes in cerebral blood flow regulation may contribute to aging and disease.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Bijur, Henry C., "Redox modulation of Piezo1 channels in brain capillary endothelial cells" (2025). UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College Senior Theses. 687.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses/687