Figure 5. Mechanical unloading suppresses Piezo1 expression in Piezo1^Ocn/Ocn mice and osteoblasts.

(a, b) QRT-PCR analysis of Piezo1 mRNA level (a) and western blot analysis of Piezo1 protein level (b) in bone tissues from the groups of mice with the indicated treatment conditions. (c, d) QRT-PCR analysis of Piezo1 mRNA level and western blot analysis of Piezo1 protein level in osteoblasts under control (Ctrl) and simulated microgravity (MG) conditions. (e) Representative traces of poking-induced inward currents recorded at −60 mV in osteoblasts under Ctrl and MG conditions. (f) Scatter plots of the maximal poking-induced currents in osteoblasts under Ctrl and MG conditions. (g) QRT-PCR analysis of Alp, Bglap and Col1α1 mRNA levels in primary osteoblasts isolated from Piezo1^fl/fl and Piezo1^Ocn/Ocn mice under Ctrl and MG conditions. (h) Representative images of Alp staining in osteoblasts isolated from the indicated mice under Ctrl and MG conditions. Scale bar: 5 mm. All data are the mean ± s.e.m. from three independent experiments. **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001.