Extracellular ATP in the immune system: more than just a "danger signal".
Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (eATP) is ubiquitously used for cell-to-cell communication. The low concentration of eATP ([eATP]) that exists in a "halo" surrounding resting cells signals the presence of neighboring living cells. Transient increases in [eATP] are used for basic physiological signaling, namely, in the nervous and vascular systems. Larger increases in [eATP] that are associated with cell death serve as a key "danger" signal in inflammatory processes. Two studies now point to roles for ATP in the immune system: providing a costimulatory signal to T cells and driving the differentiation of intestinal T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells.
Trautmann
Alain
A
Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France. alain.trautmann@inserm.fr
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000378:metabolism
D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002118:Calcium