To overexpress TRPM7, HEK 293T cells were plated at a density of 500,000 cells per well (day 0), transfected at 80–90% confluency (day 1), and were patched 24–36 h after transfection (day 2). TRPM7 overexpression was performed using WT mouse TRPM7 (2.5 µg plasmid DNA) and jetOPTIMUS. To enhance the selection rate of TRPM7-overexpressing cells, eGFP (#22152; Addgene) was included at a 1:10 dilution (0.25 µg) and only GFP-positive cells were patched. The observed overexpression current displayed the characteristic outward rectification, run-up, and reversal potential of ITRPM7 and was inhibited by 10 mM MgCl2 and 5 µM FTY720.

TRPM7, a TRP channel with ion conductance and kinase activities, has emerged as an attractive drug target for immunomodulation. Reverse genetics and cell biological studies have already established a key role for TRPM7 in the inflammatory activation of macrophages. Advancing TRPM7 as a viable molecular target for immunomodulation requires selective TRPM7 inhibitors with in vivo tolerability and efficacy. Such inhibitors have the potential to interdict inflammatory cascades mediated by systemic and tissue-specialized macrophages. FTY720, an FDA-approved drug for multiple sclerosis inhibits TRPM7. However, FTY720 is a prodrug and its metabolite, FTY720-phosphate, is a potent agonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors. In this study, we test non-phosphorylatable FTY720 analogs, which are inert against S1PRs and well tolerated in vivo, for activity against TRPM7 and tissue bioavailability. Using patch clamp electrophysiology, we show that VPC01091.4 and AAL-149 block TRPM7 current at low micromolar concentrations. In culture, they act directly on macrophages to blunt LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression, though this likely occurrs through multiple molecular targets. We found that VPC01091.4 has significant and rapid accumulation in the brain and lungs, along with direct anti-inflammatory action on alveolar macrophages and microglia. Finally, using a mouse model of endotoxemia, we show VPC01091.4 to be an efficacious anti-inflammatory agent that arrests systemic inflammation in vivo. Together, these findings identify novel small molecule inhibitors that allow TRPM7 channel inhibition independent of S1P receptor targeting which demonstrate potent, polymodal anti-inflammatory activities ex vivo and in vivo.