Takato Takenouchi, Shunichi Suzuki, Hiroki Shinkai, Mitsutoshi Tsukimoto, Mitsuru Sato, Hirohide Uenishi, Hiroshi Kitani
The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is an ATP-gated cation channel that is abundantly expressed in monocytes/macrophages. P2X7R activation by ATP results in various cellular responses including Ca(2+) influx, membrane pore formation, and cytokine secretion. Since P2X7R has low affinity for ATP, high concentrations of ATP (in the mM range) are generally required to activate this receptor in vitro. Functional expression of P2X7R has been detected in monocytes/macrophages obtained from different animal species including humans, rodents, dogs, and bovines, but so far it has not been detected in swine (Sus scrofa)...
2014: Results in Immunology