Novel Insights Into TRPM7 Function in Fibrotic Diseases: A Potential Therapeutic Target

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 230; no. 6; pp. 1163 - 1169
• Main Authors: Xu, Tao, Wu, Bao-Ming, Yao, Hong-Wei, Meng, Xiao-Ming, Huang, Cheng, Ni, Ming-Ming, Li, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Endocytosis - physiology; Enzymatic activity; Fibrosis - therapy; Humans; Membrane Potentials - physiology; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism; Signal Transduction - physiology; TRPM Cation Channels - metabolism
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24801

“Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are cellular sensors for a wide spectrum of physical and chemical stimuli. Activation of TRP channels changes the membrane potential, translocates important signaling ions crossing the cell membrane, alters enzymatic activity, and initiates endocytosis/exocytosis (Zheng, 2013).” Fibrosis is the leading cause of organ dysfunction in diseases, which is characterized by an imbalance in the turnover of extracellular matrix components. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that TRPM7, a member of TRP channels superfamily, participates in the development and pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases, such as hepatic, pulmonary and cardiac fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the comprehensive role of TRPM7 in modulating profibrotic response and its potential as therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1163–1169, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company