ORJECTIVE To investigate the potential relationship between TRPM7 and the apoptosis of HSCs induced by TRAIL.METHODS HSCs were propagated in Dulbeecos modified Eagles medium(Hyclone) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 50 units· ml-1 penicillin and 50 μg· ml-1 streptomycin at 37 ℃ in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air.The growth media were renewed every 2 d.In this study, using a combination of Western blotting, RT-PCR, fluorescent Ca2+ imaging and flow cytometric analysis ,we investigated the influence and potential function of transient receptor potential TRPM7 channels on the apoptosis induced by TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand(TRAIL) on hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) which is the key cell of formation of ECM and is also the core]ink of occurrence of hepatic fibrosis.RESULTS Knocking down TRPM7 channels by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) or Gd3 + not only markedly eliminates TRPM7 expression but also increase the apoptosis of HSCs.TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), the major apoptosis stimulator of HSCs, requries Ca2+ for its effects on inducing apoptosis.Furthemore, TRAIL induced apoptosis of HSCs is well correlated with an downexpression of TRPM7 blocked by 2-APB or Gd3 +.CONCLUSION Our findings strongly suggest that TRPM7 is involved in the apoptosis of HSCs induced by TRAIL, probably by regulating Ca2 + influx.