Redox signal-mediated sensitization of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) to temperature affects macrophage functions

The ability to sense temperature is essential for organism survival and efficient metabolism. Body temperatures profoundly affect many physiological functions, including immunity. Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a thermosensitive, Ca2+-permeable cation channel expressed in a wide range of immunocytes. TRPM2 is activated by adenosine diphosphate ribose and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), although the activation mechanism by H2O2 is not well understood. Here we report a unique activation mechanism in which H2O2 lowers the temperature threshold for TRPM2 activation, termed sensitization, through Met oxidation and adenosine diphosphate ribose production. This sensitization is completely abolished by a single mutation at Met-214, indicating that the temperature threshold of TRPM2 activation is regulated by redox signals that enable channel activity at physiological body temperatures. Loss of TRPM2 attenuates zymosan-evoked macrophage functions, including cytokine release and fever-enhanced phagocytic activity. These findings suggest that redox signals sensitize TRPM2 downstream of NADPH oxidase activity and make TRPM2 active at physiological body temperature, leading to increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations. Our results suggest that TRPM2 sensitization plays important roles in macrophage functions.