The P2X7 receptor and intracellular pathogens: a continuing struggle

Authors

Robson Coutinho-Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroFollow
Gladys Corrêa, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Ali A. Abdul-Sater, University of California, Merced
David M. Ojcius, University of California, MercedFollow

ORCiD

David M. Ojcius: 0000-0003-1461-4495

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Purinergic Signalling

ISSN

1573-9538

Volume

5

DOI

10.1007/s11302-009-9130-x

First Page

197

Last Page

204

Publication Date

6-1-2009

Abstract

The purinergic receptor, P2X₇, has recently emerged as an important component of the innate immune response against microbial infections. Ligation of P2X₇ by ATP can stimulate inflammasome activation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, but it can also lead directly to killing of intracellular pathogens in infected macrophages and epithelial cells. Thus, while some intracellular pathogens evade host defense responses by modulating with membrane trafficking or cell signaling in the infected cells, the host cells have also developed mechanisms for inhibiting infection. This review will focus on the effects of P2X₇ on control of infection by intracellular pathogens, microbial virulence factors that interfere with P2X₇ activity, and recent evidence linking polymorphisms in human P2X₇ with susceptibility to infection.

Recommended Citation

Coutinho-Silva, R., Corrêa, G., Abdul-Sater, A. A., & Ojcius, D. M. (2009). The P2X7 receptor and intracellular pathogens: a continuing struggle. Purinergic Signalling, 5, 197–204. DOI: 10.1007/s11302-009-9130-x
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/dugoni-facarticles/171