The role of P2X7 receptors in tissue fibrosis: a brief review |
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| Authors: | Daniela Gentile Mariarita Natale Pietro Enea Lazzerini Pier Leopoldo Capecchi Franco Laghi-Pasini |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, Siena, 53100 Italy |
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| Abstract: | Many previous studies have demonstrated that P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) have a pleiotropic function in different pathological conditions and could represent a novel target for the treatment of a range of diseases. In particular, recent studies have explored the role of P2X7R in fibrosis, the pathological outcome of most chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of this review is to discuss the biological features of P2X7R and summarize the current knowledge about the putative role of the P2X7R in triggering fibrosis in a wide spectrum of organs such as the lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, and heart. |
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| Keywords: | P2X7 receptor ATP Inflammation Fibrotic diseases |
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