Detrimental or beneficial: the role of TRPM2 in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of tissue damage and dysfunction. I/R injury is characterized by Ca²⁺ overload and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play critical roles in the process of I/R injury to the brain, heart and kidney, but the underlying mechanisms are largely elusive. Recent evidence demonstrates that TRPM2, a Ca²⁺-permeable cationic channel and ROS sensor, is involved in I/R injury, but whether TRPM2 plays a protective or detrimental role in this process remains controversial. In this review, we discuss the recent progress in understanding the role of TRPM2 in reperfusion process after brain, heart and kidney ischemia and the potential of targeting TRPM2 for the development of therapeutic drugs to treat I/R injury.