TRPM7 in Peripheral and Central Immune Cells: Emerging Roles in Neuroinflammation and Neurological Disease

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7) is a unique protein that functions as both a nonselective cation channel and an alpha kinase (chanzyme). It is ubiquitously expressed across a wide range of tissues and cell types. Through its chanzyme activities, TRPM7 is implicated in many fundamental processes such as intracellular cation homeostasis, cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle progression. Increasing evidence has revealed a crucial role of TRPM7 in regulating immune cell development, activation, and inflammatory responses. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding TRPM7’s structure, function, pharmacology, and roles in innate and adaptive immune cells. In particular, we discuss its impact on immune cells in the central nervous system and its potential implications for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.