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P2x purinoceptor is not important in thymocyte apoptosis
S Jiang1, B Kull, B B Fredholm
1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Immunology Letters
|March 1, 1996
Summary
P2X purinoceptor mRNA is present in rat thymocytes. However, P2X purinoceptor activation or blockade does not influence glucocorticoid-induced thymocyte apoptosis, indicating no direct role.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- P2X purinoceptors are ATP-gated ion channels.
- Glucocorticoids induce apoptosis in thymocytes, a process crucial for immune tolerance.
- RP-2, a gene involved in glucocorticoid-induced thymocyte apoptosis, shows homology to P2X purinoceptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of P2X purinoceptors in glucocorticoid-mediated thymocyte apoptosis.
- To determine if P2X purinoceptors are involved in the signaling pathways leading to thymocyte cell death induced by glucocorticoids.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of P2X purinoceptor mRNA expression in rat thymocytes.
- Treatment of thymocytes with a synthetic glucocorticoid (6 alpha-methylprednisolone) to induce apoptosis.
- Assessment of apoptosis induction and DNA fragmentation using P2X receptor agonists (extracellular ATP) and antagonists (suramin, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid).
Main Results:
- P2X purinoceptor mRNA was detected in both untreated and methylprednisolone-treated rat thymocytes.
- Extracellular ATP did not induce apoptosis in rat thymocytes.
- P2X receptor antagonists did not inhibit methylprednisolone-induced DNA fragmentation.
Conclusions:
- P2X purinoceptors are expressed in rat thymocytes.
- P2X purinoceptors are not directly implicated in the mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced thymocyte apoptosis.
- The homology between P2X purinoceptors and RP-2 does not translate to a functional role in this specific apoptotic pathway.