Role of extracellular adenosine triphosphate in human skin.
BACKGROUND
The nucleotide adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has long been known to drive and participate in countless intracellular processes. Extracellular ATP and its metabolite adenosine have also been shown to exert a variety of effects on nearly every cell type in human skin. Knowledge of the sources and effects of extracellular ATP in human skin may help shape new therapies for skin injury, inflammation, and numerous other cutaneous disorders.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to introduce the reader to current knowledge regarding the sources and effects of extracellular ATP in human skin and to outline areas in which further research is necessary to clarify the nature and mechanism of these effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Extracellular ATP seems to play a direct role in triggering skin inflammatory, regenerative, and fibrotic responses to mechanical injury, an indirect role in melanocyte proliferation and apoptosis, and a complex role in Langerhans cell-directed adaptive immunity.
Holzer
Aton M
AM
Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Granstein
Richard D
RD
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate