Purinergic signaling in infection and autoimmune disease

Abstract

Purinergic signaling plays a key role in inflammatory processes and modulates immune responses against a variety of bacterial and eukaryotic parasites. Here we highlight the role of purinergic receptor activation in infection and autoimmune diseases. Purinergic signaling and inflammasomes modulate the host immune response against chlamydial infections. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that purinergic signaling contributes to Schistosomiasis morbidity, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomes. Finally, the P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome have been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, suggesting that these signaling pathways as suitable therapeutic targets for management and treatment of different immune diseases.

Keywords: Chlamydia; NLRP3 inflammasome; P2X7 receptor; Purinergic receptors; Schistosoma mansoni; Systemic lupus erythematosus.