Potential roles and therapeutic applications of P2 X7 receptor in inflammation and pain / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7 R)is a nonselective cation channel activated by extracellular ATP,and it may trigger the se-cretion of several proinflammatory substances,such as IL-1β, IL-18,TNF-α,and nitric oxide.Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that this receptor participates in inflammation and pain mechanisms,and compounds that modulate the function of this receptor show potential as new anti-inflammatory medicines. Therefore,P2X7 receptors play particularly important physiologi-cal roles and have potential clinical application in inflammation and pain,which proves it a therapeutic target for pain manage-ment.