The P2X7 Receptor-Interleukin-1 Liaison.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin-1? (IL-1?) plays a central role in stimulation of innate immune system and inflammation and in several chronic inflammatory diseases. These include rare hereditary conditions, e.g., auto-inflammatory syndromes, as well as common pathologies, such as type II diabetes, gout and atherosclerosis. A better understanding of IL-1? synthesis and release is particularly relevant for the design of novel anti-inflammatory drugs. One of the molecules mainly involved in IL-1? maturation is the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-gated ion channel that chiefly acts through the recruitment of the NLRP3 inflammasome-caspase-1 complex. In this review, we will summarize evidence supporting the key role of the P2X7R in IL-1? production, with special emphasis on the mechanism of release, a process that is still a matter of controversy. Four different models have been proposed: (i) exocytosis via secretory lysosomes, (ii) microvesicles shedding from plasma membrane, (iii) release of exosomes, and (iv) passive efflux across a leaky plasma membrane during pyroptotic cell death. All these models involve the P2X7R.

SUBMITTER: Giuliani AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5353276 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature