Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) plays a key role in the pathophysiological response of multiple cell types. However, the role of TRPM7 channels in ox-LDL-induced proliferation and migration of VSMC remains unclear. This study used the thoracic aorta VSMCs to explore the effects of ox-LDL on cell proliferation and migration and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Data demonstrated that ox-LDL significantly increased TRPM7 activity, and induced VSMC proliferation and migration. VSMC proliferation and migration were inhibited by nonspecific TRPM7 blocker 2-APB or synthetic siRNA targeting TRPM7. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 associated with cell proliferation and migration decreased in TRPM7-deficient VSMC. Therefore, TRPM7 may constitute a useful target for the treatment of atherosclerosis.Keywords: MEK-ERK pathways; migration; proliferation; TRPM7; VSMCs Migration and excess proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are involved in the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis [1]. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) contributes to the atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression by several mechanisms, including the induction of endothelial cell activation and dysfunction, macrophage foam cell formation, and smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation [2]. Ox-LDL significantly increases VSMC migration and proliferation through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway [3]. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of ox-LDL on atherosclerosis are not fully understood.Ion channels participate in cell proliferation in diverse types of cells, including vascular endothelial cells [4], cancer cells [5], smooth muscle cells [6], and mesenchymal stem cells [7]. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel, a member of TRP channel superfamily [8], is a widely expressed nonselective divalent cation (Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ) channel with protein serine/threonine kinase activity that regulates diverse physiological/pathological processes, such as Mg 2+ homeostasis [9,10], hypoxic neuronal injury [11], and tumor cell growth/proliferation [12]. Activating TRPM7 channels may also contribute to the physiology/pathophysiology of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including arterial calcification [13], atrial fibrillation [14], and hypertension [6,15]. However, little is known about the role of TRPM7 channels in atherosclerosis-related vasculopathy.Studies have shown that TRPM7 channels greatly participate in growth/proliferation and nitric oxide production of vascular endothelial cells [4], angiotensin IIinduced phenotype switching, and VSMC proliferation through the ERK pathway [6]. Although the presence and potential function of TRPM7 channels have been Abbreviations 2-APB, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate; ang II, angiotensin II; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; Ox-LDL, oxidized low-density lipoprotein; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; PLC, phospholipase C;...