A differential role of macrophage TRPM2 channels in Ca2+ signaling and cell death in early responses to H2O2

Reactive oxygen species such as H2O2 elevates the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](c)) and causes cell death via poly(ADPR) polymerase (PARP) activation, which also represents the primary mechanism by which H2O2 activate the transient receptor potential melastatin-related 2 (TRPM2) channel as a Ca2+-permeable channel present in the plasma membrane or an intracellular Ca2+-release channel. The present study aimed to define the contribution and mechanisms of the TRPM2 channels in macrophage cells in mediating Ca2+ signaling and cell death during initial response to H2O2, using mouse peritoneal macrophage, RAW264.7, and differentiated THP-1 cells. H2O2 evoked robust increases in the [Ca2+](c), and such Ca2+ responses were significantly greater at body temperature than room temperature. H2O2-induced Ca2+ responses were strongly inhibited by pretreatment with PJ-34, a PARP inhibitor, and largely prevented by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, H2O2-induced increases in the [Ca2+](c) were completely abolished in macrophage cells isolated from trpm2(-/-) mice. H2O2 reduced macrophage cell viability in a duration- and concentration-dependent manner. H2O2-induced cell death was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with PJ-34 and TRPM2 channel deficiency but remained significant and persistent. Taken together, these results show that the TRPM2 channel in macrophage cells functions as a cell surface Ca2+-permeable channel that mediates Ca2+ influx and constitutes the principal Ca2+ signaling mechanism but has a limited, albeit significant, role in cell death during early exposure to H2O2.