Extracellular ATP and P2X7 receptors in neurodegeneration

Neuronal injury and cell death in the central nervous system (CNS) are underlying features of neurodegenerative disorders. However, our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved is still limited. Inflammatory processes mediated by cytokines, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in particular, play a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of pharmacology 2002-07, Vol.447 (2), p.261-269
Main Authors: Le Feuvre, Rosalind, Brough, David, Rothwell, Nancy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Triphosphate - physiology
Animals
ATP
Cytokines - physiology
Humans
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis
Nerve Degeneration
Neurodegeneration
Neurodegenerative Diseases - etiology
P2X7
Receptors, Purinergic P2 - physiology
Receptors, Purinergic P2X7
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Summary:Neuronal injury and cell death in the central nervous system (CNS) are underlying features of neurodegenerative disorders. However, our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved is still limited. Inflammatory processes mediated by cytokines, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in particular, play a significant role in neuronal death following pathological insults. Despite this growing area of research, very little is known about the factors regulating the expression, cleavage and release of interleukin-1 in the brain. Recent studies on immune cells demonstrate that extracellular ATP can act as a potent stimulus for the maturation and release of interleukin-1β, via activation of P2X7 receptors. Stimulation of P2X7 receptors with ATP has dramatic cytotoxic properties and a wider role in neurodegenerative processes is possible. This review discusses the potential involvement of extracellular ATP and P2X7 receptors as regulators of interleukin-1-mediated neuropathologies and thus as a mediator of cell death following pathological insults.
ISSN:0014-2999
1879-0712
DOI:10.1016/S0014-2999(02)01848-4