ATP-induced non-neuronal cell permeabilization in the rat inner retina.

The P2X7 subtype holds a special position among P2X receptors because of its ability to act both as a classical, ligand-gated ion channel, and as a permeabilization pore that can induce cell death under prolonged activation by ATP. We have shown previously that, in rat retina, P2X7 receptors are located in the inner nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer (GCL). The present study was aimed at finding whether retinal P2X7 receptors can act as a mediator of cell permeabilization and, if so, at identifying the cellular target(s) of this effect.