P2Y(4) nucleotide receptor: a novel actor in post-natal cardiac development.

Communication between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes is critical for cardiac development and regeneration. However the mechanisms involved in these endothelial-cardiomyocyte interactions remain poorly understood. Nucleotides are released within the heart, especially under ischemia or pressure overload.

Role of the P2Y12 receptor in the modulation of murine dendritic cell function by ADP.

The effects of ADP on the biology of dendritic cells have been studied much less than those of ATP or adenosine. In this study, we showed that adenosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADPβS) induced intracellular Ca(2+) transients in murine dendritic cells (DCs). This effect was abolished by AR-C69931MX, a dual P2Y(12) and P2Y(13) receptor antagonist.

Knockout mice reveal a role for P2Y6 receptor in macrophages, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells.

P2Y receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors activated by extracellular nucleotides. The P2Y(6) receptor is selectively activated by UDP, and its transcript has been detected in numerous organs, including the spleen, thymus, intestine, blood leukocytes, and aorta. To investigate the biological functions of this receptor, we generated P2Y(6)-null mice by gene targeting.