Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
12:50
Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
6.9K
Purine Release, Metabolism, and Signaling in the Inflammatory Response
Joel Linden1,2, Friedrich Koch-Nolte3, Gerhard Dahl4
1Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037, USA;
Annual Review of Immunology
|January 25, 2019
Summary
Extracellular purines like ATP and NAD+ act as danger signals. This review explores their release, metabolism by ectoenzymes, and signaling via purinergic receptors, impacting immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Purines such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) have crucial intracellular roles.
- Extracellularly, these purines function as danger signals released during cell damage or death.
- Immune cells are modulated by extracellular purines, with ATP and NAD+ generally being excitatory, while adenosine exhibits anti-inflammatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding extracellular purine signaling.
- To highlight the mechanisms of purine release and the roles of key ectoenzymes in their metabolism.
- To discuss the signaling pathways involving specific purinergic receptors and the broader implications of purine metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of purine release mechanisms, including cell lysis, apoptosis, degranulation, and pore formation.
- Examination of the enzymatic activity of ectoenzymes (CD38, CD39, CD73, ENPP1, ENPP2/autotaxin) on purines and other inflammatory mediators.
- Review of signaling pathways mediated by purinergic receptors (P2X7, P2Y2, P2Y12).
Main Results:
- Purines are released extracellularly as danger signals, influencing immune cell activity.
- Ectoenzymes play a critical role in metabolizing extracellular purines (ATP, NAD+) and other molecules like lysophosphatidic acid and cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP).
- Specific purinergic receptors (P2X7, P2Y2, P2Y12) mediate the signaling effects of these extracellular purines.
- Extracellular NAD+ signaling involves ADP-ribosylation, and intracellular adenosine influences DNA methylation via S-adenosylmethionine.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular purines are key mediators of cellular communication and immune responses.
- The interplay between purine release, ectoenzyme activity, and purinergic receptor signaling is complex and multifaceted.
- Understanding these pathways offers insights into inflammatory processes and potential therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Inflammatory Response
16.6K
An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
16.6K
01:24Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair
7.7K
The immune system's inflammatory response destroys the invading pathogen, permitting the tissue to heal. The changes during the cellular and vascular stages allow exudate formation at the site of inflammation. The inflammatory exudate released from the wound has high protein content and a specific gravity above 1.020.
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
7.7K
01:30Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular
16.4K
The inflammatory response is the body's defense against infection, injury, or irritation from bacteria, trauma, toxins, or heat. Inflammation helps locate and destroy pathogens and remove damaged tissue elements to heal the body. During this initial phase, fluid, blood products, and nutrients migrate to the injured area, resulting in redness, heat, swelling, ache, and loss of function. Moreover, signs of systemic inflammation include fever, increased WBC count, malaise, anorexia, nausea,...
16.4K
00:52What is Metabolism?
131.7K
Overview
131.7K
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
7.9K
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
7.9K
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
130.3K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
130.3K