title: Purinergic signaling in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Cell surface expression of specific receptors and ecto-nucleotidases makes extracellular nucleotides such as ATP, ADP, UTP, and adenosine suitable as signaling molecules for physiological and pathological events, including tissue stress and damage. Recent data have revealed the participation of purinergic signaling in atherosclerosis, depicting a scenario in which, in addition to some exceptions reflecting dual effects of individual receptor subtypes, adenosine and most P1 receptors, as well as ecto-nucleotidases, show a protective, anti-atherosclerotic function. By contrast, P2 receptors promote atherosclerosis. In consideration of these findings, modulation of purinergic signaling would represent an innovative and valuable tool to counteract atherosclerosis. We summarize recent developments on the participation of the purinergic network in atheroma formation and evolution.
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biotechnology Centre, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: dfr@unife.it.
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Ferrari
authors: Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Vitiello
authors: Department of Pneumology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Idzko
authors: Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: la Sala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D011983:Receptors, Purinergic
keywords: P1 receptors; P2 receptors; adenosine; atherosclerosis; ecto-nucleotidases; extracellular ATP