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The P2X(7) receptor and intracellular pathogens: a continuing struggle

Robson Coutinho-Silva1, Gladys Corrêa, Ali Abdul Sater

  • 1Immunobiology Program, Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, RJ, Brazil, rcsilva@biof.ufrj.br.

Purinergic Signalling
|February 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The P2X(7) receptor is crucial for innate immunity, fighting microbial infections by activating inflammasomes and directly killing pathogens. Genetic variations in P2X(7) influence human susceptibility to infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The purinergic receptor P2X(7) plays a key role in the innate immune response.
  • It is involved in host defense against microbial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of P2X(7) in controlling intracellular pathogen infections.
  • To discuss microbial factors that inhibit P2X(7) activity.
  • To explore the link between P2X(7) gene polymorphisms and infection susceptibility.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on P2X(7) and microbial infections.
  • Analysis of P2X(7) signaling pathways, including inflammasome activation.
  • Examination of host-pathogen interactions involving P2X(7).

Main Results:

  • P2X(7) activation by ATP triggers inflammasome activation and cytokine release.
  • P2X(7) can directly eliminate intracellular pathogens within macrophages and epithelial cells.
  • Some pathogens have evolved virulence factors to counteract P2X(7) function.

Conclusions:

  • P2X(7) is a critical host defense mechanism against intracellular pathogens.
  • Understanding P2X(7) function and its manipulation by microbes is vital for developing new anti-infective strategies.
  • Human P2X(7) polymorphisms are associated with varying susceptibility to infections.

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