P2RX7: A receptor with a split personality in inflammation and cancer.
P2X7 (also known as P2RX7) is a plasma membrane receptor for extracellular ATP that is expressed at a high level by immune and tumor cells. Previous data showed that increased P2rx7 expression by tumor cells accelerates tumor progression. We have now looked at the other side of the relationship by investigating the effect of a lack of host P2rx7 expression on tumor growth. Our novel observations highlight a surprising role of host P2rx7 in restraining tumor progression.
Department of Morphology; Surgery and Experimental Medicine; Section of Pathology; Oncology and Experimental Biology; University of Ferrara ; Ferrara, Italy.
Francesco
F
Di Virgilio
extracellular ATP; immunity; purinergic receptors; tumors