Purinergic System in Immune Response

Abstract

In mammalian cells, the purinergic signaling and inflammatory mediators regulate each other. During microbial infection, nucleotides and nucleosides from both dying host cells and pathogens may be recognized by the host receptors. These receptors include purinergic receptors such P2X, P2Y, and A2A, as well Toll-like receptors, and NOD-like receptors. The interaction with most of these receptors activates immune responses, including inflammasome activation, releasing of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive nitrogen and oxygen species production, apoptosis induction, and regulation of T cell responses. Conversely, activation of adenosine receptors is associated with anti-inflammatory responses. The magnitude of resultant responses may contribute not only to the host defense but also to the homeostatic clearance of pathogens, or even to the severe progression of infectious diseases. In this chapter, we discuss how the purinergic signaling activation upregulates or downregulates mechanisms in infectious diseases caused by the bacterial, parasite, and viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. As a concluding remark, purinergic signaling can modulate not only infectious diseases but also cancer, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases, constituting a strategy for the development of treatments.