title: The role of P2X7 receptors in tissue fibrosis: a brief review.
abstract: Many previous studies have demonstrated that P2X(7) receptors (P2X(7)Rs) have a pleiotropic function in different pathological conditions and could represent a novel target for the treatment of a range of diseases. In particular, recent studies have explored the role of P2X(7)R in fibrosis, the pathological outcome of most chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of this review is to discuss the biological features of P2X(7)R and summarize the current knowledge about the putative role of the P2X(7)R in triggering fibrosis in a wide spectrum of organs such as the lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, and heart.
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, Siena, 53100, Italy. danielacarmen87@libero.it.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Gentile
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, Siena, 53100, Italy. natale3@unisi.it.
authors: Mariarita
authors: M
authors: Natale
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, Siena, 53100, Italy. lazzerini7@unisi.it.
authors: Pietro Enea
authors: PE
authors: Lazzerini
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, Siena, 53100, Italy. pierleopoldo.capecchi@unisi.it.
authors: Pier Leopoldo
authors: PL
authors: Capecchi
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, Siena, 53100, Italy. laghi@unisi.it.
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Laghi-Pasini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D058920:Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D058920:Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7
keywords: ATP; Fibrotic diseases; Inflammation; P2X7 receptor