BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE P2X receptors are widely expressed in cells of the immune system with varying functions. This study sought to characterize P2X receptor expression in the LAD2 human mast cell line and human lung mast cells (HLMCs). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and patch clamp studies were used to characterize P2X expression in mast cells...

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of neuropathological pain. A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely the spinal nerve ligation (SNL), electroacupuncture (SNL + EA) and normal control groups, with 20 rats in each group. The up-down method was used to determine the bipedal 50% mech...

Opioids, although fundamental to the treatment of pain, are limited in efficacy by side effects including tolerance and hyperalgesia. Using an in vitro culture system, we report that morphine increased microglial migration via a novel interaction between mu-opioid and P2X(4) receptors, which is dependent upon PI3K/Akt pathway activation. Morphine at 100 nm enhanced migration of primary microgli...

In recent years, P2X receptors have attracted increasing attention as regulators of exocytosis and cellular secretion. In various cell types, P2X receptors have been found to stimulate vesicle exocytosis directly via Ca(2+) influx and elevation of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Recently, a new role for P2X4 receptors as regulators of secretion emerged. Exocytosis of lamellar bodies (LB...

Purinergic receptors regulate various processes including epithelial transport. There are several studies on P2 receptors in pancreatic ducts of various species, but relatively little is known about these receptors in human tissue. The aim of this study was to identify purinergic receptors in human pancreatic duct cell lines PANC-1 and CFPAC-1. Expression of P2 receptors was examined using RT-P...

Endothelial cells lining the blood vessels are principal players in vascular inflammatory responses. Dysregulation of endothelial cell function caused by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia often result in impaired vasoregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered barrier function. Various stressors including high glucose stimulate the release of nucleotides thus initiat...