title: Novel insights into TRPM7 function in fibrotic diseases: a potential therapeutic target.
abstract: "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.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Bao-Ming
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hong-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Xiao-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ming-Ming
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050053:TRPM Cation Channels; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases