Loss of the TRPM4 channel in humans causes immune dysregulation with defective monocyte migration

Background

TRPM4 is a broadly expressed, calcium-activated, monovalent cation channel that regulates immune cell function in mice and cell lines. Clinically, however, partial loss- or gain-of-function mutations in TRPM4 lead to arrhythmia and heart disease, with no documentation of immunologic disorders.

Objective

To characterize functional cellular mechanisms underlying the immune dysregulation phenotype in a proband with a mutated TRPM4 gene.

Methods

We employed a combination of biochemical, cell biological, imaging, omics analyses, flow cytometry, and gene editing approaches.

Results

We report the first human cases to our knowledge with complete loss of the TRPM4 channel, leading to immune dysregulation with frequent bacterial and fungal infections. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing point to altered expression of genes affecting cell migration, specifically in monocytes. Inhibition of TRPM4 in T cells and the THP-1 monocyte cell line reduces migration. More importantly, primary T cells and monocytes from TRPM4 patients migrate poorly. Finally, CRISPR knockout of TRPM4 in THP-1 cells greatly reduces their migration potential.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that TRPM4 plays a critical role in regulating immune cell migration, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.