title: P2 receptors in macrophage fusion and osteoclast formation.
abstract: Cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage fuse to form multinucleated giant cells and osteoclasts. Several lines of evidence suggest that P2 receptors, in particular P2X₇, are involved in this process, although P2X₇ is not absolutely required for fusion because P2X₇-null mice form multinucleated osteoclasts. Extracellular ATP may be an important regulator of macrophage fusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA, steinber@id.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Jeffrey F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Hiken