P2X7 receptor-mediated leukocyte recruitment and Porphyromonas gingivalis clearance requires IL-1β production and autocrine IL-1 receptor activation.

The Gram-negative bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is strongly associated with periodontitis. We previously demonstrated that P2X7 receptor activation by extracellular ATP (eATP) triggers elimination of intracellular pathogens, such as Leishmania amazonensis, Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia trachomatis. We also showed that eATP-induced IL-1β secretion via the P2X7 receptor is impaired by P.

The P2X7 Receptor Mediates Control in Macrophages through Canonical NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Reactive Oxygen Species Production.

is the protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a potentially fatal disease to immunocompromised patients, and which affects approximately 30% of the world's population. Previously, we showed that purinergic signaling the P2X7 receptor contributes to elimination in macrophages, through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lysosome fusion with the parasitophorous vacuole. Moreover, we demonstrated that P2X7 receptor activation promotes the production of anti-parasitic pro-inflammatory cytokines during early infection .