title: The role of nucleotides and purinergic signaling in apoptotic cell clearance - implications for chronic inflammatory diseases.
abstract: Billions of cells undergo apoptosis every day in healthy individuals. A prompt removal of dying cells prevents the release of pro-inflammatory intracellular content and progress to secondary necrosis. Thus, inappropriate clearance of apoptotic cells provokes autoimmunity and has been associated with many chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have suggested that extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate and related nucleotides play an important role in the apoptotic clearance process. Here, we review the current understanding of nucleotides and purinergic receptors in apoptotic cell clearance and the potential therapeutic targets of purinergic receptor subtypes in inflammatory conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: ATP; apoptotic cell clearance; chronic inflammation; extracellular nucleotides; purinergic signaling