P2X7 receptor and the NLRP3 inflammasome: Partners in crime

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that on one hand plays a central role in cellular energetics and which on the Other is a ubiquitous signaling molecule when released into the extracellular media. Extracellular ATP accumulates in inflammatory environments where it acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern and activates the purinergic P2X Receptor 7 (P2X7) in immune cells. P2X7 Receptor activation induces the formation of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the activation of the inflammatory Caspase-1. Caspase-1 causes an inflammatory type of cell death called Pyroptosis through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and intracellular content. Consequently, intense research efforts have been devoted to the design of novel anti-inflammatory therapies, focusing in particular on the P2X7 Receptor and the NLRP3 pathway and the introduction of new blocking molecules in early phase clinical trials.

Anti-inflammatory drugs; Cytokines; Inflammation; NLRP3 inflammasome; P2X7 receptor.