The P2X7 Receptor Contributes to the Development of the Exacerbated Inflammatory Response Associated with Sepsis.

Background: Sepsis is associated with high mortality rates in intensive care units worldwide and represents a systemic inflammatory response to infection. P2X7 is an ionotropic purine receptor with known proinflammatory activity. Here, we investigated the role of the P2X7 receptor in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).