Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Real-time Live-cell Flow Cytometry to Investigate Calcium Influx, Pore Formation, and Phagocytosis by P2X7 Receptors in Adult Neural Progenitor Cells
11:47

Real-time Live-cell Flow Cytometry to Investigate Calcium Influx, Pore Formation, and Phagocytosis by P2X7 Receptors in Adult Neural Progenitor Cells

Published on: April 3, 2019

P2X7 receptor signaling pathway as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases

Takato Takenouchi1, Kazunari Sekiyama, Akio Sekigawa

  • 1Laboratory for Chemistry and Metabolism, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8526, Japan.

Archivum Immunologiae Et Therapiae Experimentalis
|February 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Neuroinflammation contributes to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Targeting the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) pathway in microglia shows promise for therapeutic intervention in these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Neuroinflammation is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Microglial signaling pathway dysregulation may drive neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal death.
  • The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) signaling pathway in neurodegeneration.
  • To explore P2X7R as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Examined P2X7R expression and function in postmortem Alzheimer's disease brains and animal models.
  • Utilized brilliant blue G, a P2X7R antagonist, in animal models of neurodegeneration.

Main Results:

  • P2X7R expression and function are significantly upregulated in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative models.
  • Blocking P2X7R with brilliant blue G ameliorated neuropathology in animal models.

Conclusions:

  • The P2X7R signaling pathway plays a significant role in the progression of neurodegeneration.
  • P2X7R antagonism presents a potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

More Related Videos

Proteomics to Identify Proteins Interacting with P2X2 Ligand-Gated Cation Channels16:36

Proteomics to Identify Proteins Interacting with P2X2 Ligand-Gated Cation Channels

Published on: May 18, 2009

Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:24

Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Enzyme-linked Receptors01:00

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson's Disease: Overview

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
GPCR Desensitization01:12

GPCR Desensitization

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling plays a crucial role in cell functioning. GPCR desensitization is an equally essential process. It allows cells to respond to changing environments and regain sensitivity to new stimuli while preventing unnecessary stimulation when no longer needed. Prolonged exposure to stimuli leads to GPCR desensitization. It involves blocking the receptors from binding and activating additional G proteins. This inhibits activation of downstream effectors, thereby...