| New research targeting the PIEZO2 mechanoreceptorâa stretch-gated ion channelâin genetically engineered mice shows that the receptor mediates touch under inflammatory conditions and is a target for treating mechanical pain caused by gentle touch after injury. Additional research in a small number of humans with a rare genetic condition caused by a loss of function of PIEZO2 found that these individuals do not have sensitization and painful reactions to touch after skin inflammation. The research, funded in part by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, was published in a recent issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine. Â | 
