Abstract
Piezo channels, a class of mechanosensitive ion channels, have emerged as key players in sensory transduction. Piezo1 and Piezo2 have been implicated in various physiological processes, including touch sensation and nociception. Their association with migraine and their role in pain involving trigeminal nerve have gained significant research attention. Following PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review of the literature, on the role of Piezo1 and Piezo2 channels in migraine and trigeminal pain. From PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, we deemed 20 studies published between 2014 and 2023 appropriate to be included in this review. Piezo1 emerges as a key player in migraine pathogenesis, contributing to meningeal nociception and pain generation. In trigeminal pain syndromes, Piezo channels, particularly Piezo2, have a role in various pain conditions, from corneal nociception to dental and orofacial pain. Mechanistic insights provide potential therapeutic targets for migraine and other pain conditions involving trigeminal nerve. This systematic review accentuates the emerging significance of Piezo channels in migraine and trigeminal-associated pain, underscoring cross-associations that interconnect Piezo channels, migraine, and trigeminal neurons, as well as suggesting promising avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions and future research directions.