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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

In Vitro Model of Human Cutaneous Hypertrophic Scarring using Macromolecular Crowding
Published on: May 1, 2020
Purinergic signaling in scarring
Davide Ferrari1, Roberto Gambari2, Marco Idzko2
1*Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Department of Pneumology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Laboratory of Immunology and Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Cutaneous Physiopathology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy; Department of Specialized, Diagnostic, and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; and Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA dfr@unife.it.
Purinergic signaling, involving adenosine and nucleotides, plays a key role in tissue repair and fibrosis. Modulating these pathways offers a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing or reducing fibrotic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Extracellular signaling molecules like adenosine (ADO) and nucleotides (ATP, ADP, UTP) activate purinergic receptors (P1, P2).
- These signaling pathways are regulated by transporters and ectonucleotidases, including CD39 and CD73.
- Cells involved in tissue repair, healing, and scarring are responsive to ADO and ATP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of purinergic signaling in matrix deposition during tissue repair and fibrosis.
- To explore the potential of modulating purinergic signaling as a therapeutic strategy for fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of purinergic signaling in scarring.
- Analysis of the effects of extracellular ATP and specific P2Y receptors (P2Y2, P2Y6) on cellular responses.
Main Results:
- Modulation of purinergic signaling regulates matrix deposition in various organs.
- Extracellular ATP can stimulate cardiac fibroblast proliferation and lung inflammation/fibrosis.
- P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors exhibit profibrotic effects.
Conclusions:
- Purinergic signaling is intricately linked to tissue repair and fibrotic processes.
- Targeting purinergic signaling pathways presents a promising avenue for preventing or mitigating fibrosis.
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