Decreased TRPM7 alleviates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway

Objective: To explore the regulatory mechanism of transient receptor potential melastatin-7 (TRPM7) in high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Methods: The expression of TRPM7 in the serum of diabetic nephropathy patients and high glucose-induced HK-2 cells was detected by RT-qPCR. Then, the TRPM7 interference vector was constructed, and the downstream high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway proteins were detected. Next, in addition to interference with TRPM7 expression, overexpression of HMGB1 in high glucose-induced HK-2 cells was performed. Cell activity, apoptosis, oxidative stress levels, and inflammation levels were determined by CCK8, TUNEL, Western blotting, immunofluorescence and related kits. Results: TRPM7 expression was upregulated in the serum of diabetic nephropathy patients and high glucose-induced HK-2 cells. Interference with TRPM7 reduced cell damage, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response in high glucose-induced HK-2 cells via inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway. However, the effects induced by TRPM7 silencing were abrogated by HMGB1 overexpression. Conclusions: Decreased TRPM7 alleviates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway. Further animal experiments and clinical trials are warranted to verify its effect.