Ivermectin-dependent release of IL-1beta in response to ATP by peritoneal macrophages from P2X(7)-KO mice

NLRP3 and autophagy in retinal ganglion cell inflammation in age-related macular degeneration: potential therapeutic implications

Retinal degenerative diseases were a large group of diseases characterized by the primary death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Recent studies had shown an interaction between autophagy and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, which may affect RGCs in retinal degenerative diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome was a protein complex that, upon activation, produces caspase-1, mediating the apoptosis of retinal cells and promoting the occurrence and development of retinal degenerative diseases. Upregulated autophagy could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, while inhibited autophagy can promote NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which leaded to the accelerated emergence of drusen and lipofuscin deposition under the neurosensory retina. The activated NLRP3 inflammasome could further inhibit autophagy, thus forming a vicious cycle that accelerated the damage and death of RGCs. This review discussed the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy and its effects on RGCs in age-related macular degeneration, providing a new perspective and direction for the treatment of retinal diseases.

Overview of the role of purinergic signaling and insights into its role in cancer therapy

Innovation of cancer therapy has received a dramatic acceleration over the last fifteen years thanks to the introduction of the novel immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). On the other hand, the conspicuous scientific knowledge accumulated in purinergic signaling since the early seventies is finally being transferred to the clinic. Several Phase I/II clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the effect of drugs interfering with purinergic signaling as stand-alone or combination therapy in cancer. This is supporting the novel concept of "purinergic immune checkpoint" (PIC) in cancer therapy. In the present review we will address a) the basic pharmacology and cell biology of the purinergic system; b) principles of its pathophysiology in human diseases; c) implications for cell death, cell proliferation and cancer; d) novel molecular tools to investigate nucleotide homeostasis in the extracellular environment; e) recent developments in the pharmacology of P1, P2 receptors and related ecto-enzymes; f) P1 and P2 ligands as novel diagnostic tools; g) current issues in PIC-based anti-cancer therapy. This review will provide an appraisal of the current status of purinergic signaling in cancer and will help identify future avenues of development.

Methods for studying P2X4 receptor ion channels in immune cells

The P2X4 receptor is a trimeric ligand-gated ion channel activated by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). P2X4 is present in immune cells with emerging roles in inflammation and immunity, and related disorders. This review aims to provide an overview of the methods commonly used to study P2X4 in immune cells, focusing on those methods used to assess P2RX4 gene expression, the presence of the P2X4 protein, and P2X4 ion channel activity in these cells from humans, dogs, mice and rats. P2RX4 gene expression in immune cells is commonly assessed using semi-quantitative and quantitative reverse-transcriptase-PCR. The presence of P2X4 protein in immune cells is mainly assessed using anti-P2X4 polyclonal antibodies with immunoblotting or immunochemistry, but the use of these antibodies, as well as monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies to detect P2X4 with flow cytometry is increasing. Notably, use of an anti-P2X4 monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry has revealed that P2X4 is present on immune cells with a rank order of expression in eosinophils, then neutrophils and monocytes, then basophils and B cells, and finally T cells. P2X4 ion channel activity has been assessed mainly by Ca2+ flux assays using the cell permeable Ca2+-sensitive dyes Fura-2 and Fluo-4 with fluorescence microscopy, spectrophotometry, or flow cytometry. However, other methods including electrophysiology, and fluorescence assays measuring Na+ flux (using sodium green tetra-acetate) and dye uptake (using YO-PRO-12+) have been applied. Collectively, these methods have demonstrated the presence of functional P2X4 in monocytes and macrophages, microglia, eosinophils, mast cells and CD4+ T cells, with other evidence suggestive of functional P2X4 in dendritic cells, neutrophils, B cells and CD8+ T cells.

Pannexin-1 channel opening is critical for COVID-19 pathogenesis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly rampaged worldwide, causing a pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID -19), but the biology of SARS-CoV-2 remains under investigation. We demonstrate that both SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human coronavirus 229E (hCoV-229E) or its purified S protein, one of the main viruses responsible for the common cold, induce the transient opening of Pannexin-1 (Panx-1) channels in human lung epithelial cells. However, the Panx-1 channel opening induced by SARS-CoV-2 is greater and more prolonged than hCoV-229E/S protein, resulting in an enhanced ATP, PGE₂, and IL-1β release. Analysis of lung lavages and tissues indicate that Panx-1 mRNA expression is associated with increased ATP, PGE₂, and IL-1β levels. Panx-1 channel opening induced by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), endocytosis, and furin dependent. Overall, we demonstrated that Panx-1 channel is a critical contributor to SARS-CoV-2 infection and should be considered as an alternative therapy.

Structural and Functional Features of the P2X4 Receptor: An Immunological Perspective

Extracellular nucleotides are important mediators of activation, triggering various responses through plasma membrane P2 and P1 receptors. P2 receptors are further subdivided into ionotropic P2X receptors and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. P2X4 is an ATP-gated cation channel broadly expressed in most tissues of the body. Within the P2X family, P2X4 has a unique subcellular distribution, being preferentially localized in lysosomes. In these organelles, high ATP concentrations do not trigger P2X4 because of the low pH. However, when the pH increases to 7.4, P2X4 can be stimulated by intra-lysosomal ATP, which is in its active, tetra-anionic form. Elucidation of P2X4, P2X3 and P2X7 structures has shed some light on the functional differences between these purinergic receptors. The potential interaction between P2X4 and P2X7 has been extensively studied. Despite intensive effort, it has not been possible yet to determine whether P2X4 and P2X7 interact as heterotrimers or homotrimers at the plasma membrane. However, several publications have shown that functional interactions between P2X4 and P2X7 do occur. Importantly, these studies indicate that P2X4 potentiates P2X7-dependent activation of inflammasomes, leading to increased release of IL-1β and IL-18. The role of P2X4 in various diseases could be beneficial or deleterious even though the pathophysiological mechanisms involved are still poorly defined. However, in diseases whose physiopathology involves activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, P2X4 was found to exacerbate severity of disease. The recent production of monoclonal antibodies specific for the human and mouse P2X4, some of which are endowed with agonist or antagonist properties, raises the possibility that they could be used therapeutically. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the human P2RX4 gene has uncovered the association of P2RX4 gene variants with susceptibility to several human diseases.

Progress in Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Antitumour Effects of Ivermectin

Ivermectin, a dihydro derivative of avermectin (AVM), was introduced into the veterinary, agricultural and aquaculture markets for animal health in 1981. Ivermectin was soon adopted in 1987 as a human medicine that was originally used for the treatment of onchocerciasis, a parasitic infection. Since then, ivermectin has also been used to control other human diseases and has exerted a significant effect on human health and welfare. In the past decade, many published studies have attempted to determine the role of ivermectin in cancer. In this review, we summarize the published studies to define the current progress in the characterization of ivermectin. Ivermectin causes cell death in cancer cell lines by inducing PAK1-mediated cytostatic autophagy, caspase-dependent apoptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD) through the modulation of some pathways, including the WNT-T cell factor (TCF), Hippo and Akt/mTOR pathways. Ivermectin can affect the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and plays several different roles, such as its functions as an RNA helicase, a small-molecule mimetic of the surface-induced dissociation (SID) peptide, an activator of chloride channel receptors, and an inducer of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. In addition, ivermectin induces the multidrug resistance protein (MDR), has potent anti-mitotic activity, targets angiogenesis and inhibits cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Many studies have proven that ivermectin exerts antitumour effects and might thus benefit patients with cancer after sufficient clinical trials.

Potential contribution of alveolar epithelial type I cells to pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the interstitium and destruction of alveolar histoarchitecture ultimately leading to a fatal impairment of lung function. Different concepts describe either a dominant role of inflammatory pathways or a disturbed remodeling of resident cells of the lung parenchyma during fibrogenesis. Further, a combination of both the mechanisms has been postulated. The present review emphasizes the particular involvement of alveolar epithelial type I cells in all these processes, their contribution to innate immune/inflammatory functions and maintenance of proper alveolar barrier functions. Amongst the different inflammatory and repair events the purinergic receptor P2X7, an ATP-gated cationic channel that regulates not only apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and NLPR3 inflammosome activation, but also the turnover of diverse tight junction (TJ) and water channel proteins, seems to be essential for the stability of alveolar barrier integrity and for the interaction with protective factors during lung injury.

Purinergic receptors: new targets for the treatment of gout and fibrosis

Adenosine triphosphate is involved in many metabolic reactions, but it has also a role as a cellular danger signal transmitted through purinergic receptors (PRs). Indeed, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) can bind to PRs which are found in the membrane of many cell types, although the relative proportions of the receptor subtypes differ. PRs are classified according to genetic and pharmacological criteria and especially their affinities for agonists and their transduction mechanism (i.e. as metabotropic P2YRs or ionotropic P2XRs). Extracellular ATP release by activated or necrotic cells may activate various PRs and especially P2X7R, the best-characterized PR, on immune cells. P2X7R is known to regulate the activation of the Nod-like receptor (NLR)-family protein, NLRP3 inflammasome, which permit the release of IL-1β, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine. The P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway is involved in many inflammatory diseases, such as gout, and in fibrosis diseases associated with inflammatory process, liver or lung fibrosis. Some authors imaging also a real promising therapeutic potential of P2X7R blockage. Thus, several pharmaceutical companies have developed P2X7R antagonists as novel anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Clinical trials of the efficacy of these antagonists are now underway. A better understanding of the P2X7R/NLRP3 signalling pathways permits the identification of targets and the development of a new class of drugs able to inhibit the fibrogenesis process and collagen deposition.

Connexins and Pannexins: New Insights into Microglial Functions and Dysfunctions

Under physiological conditions, microglia adopt a resting phenotype associated with the production of anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic factors. In response to a wide variety of insults, these cells shift to an activated phenotype that is necessary for the proper restoration of brain homeostasis. However, when the intensity of a threat is relatively high, microglial activation worsens the progression of damage rather than providing protection, with potentially significant consequences for neuronal survival. Coordinated interactions among microglia and other brain cells, including astrocytes and neurons, are critical for the development of timely and optimal inflammatory responses in the brain parenchyma. Tissue synchronization is in part mediated by connexins and pannexins, which are protein families that form different plasma membrane channels to communicate with neighboring cells. Gap junction channels (which are exclusively formed by connexins in vertebrates) connect the cytoplasm of contacting cells to coordinate electrical and metabolic coupling. Hemichannels (HCs) and pannexons (which are formed by connexins and pannexins, respectively) communicate the intra- and extracellular compartments and serve as diffusion pathways for the exchange of ions and small molecules. In this review article, we discuss the available evidence concerning the functional expression and regulation of connexin- and pannexin-based channels in microglia and their contributions to microglial function and dysfunction. Specifically, we focus on the possible implications of these channels in microglia-to-microglia, microglia-to-astrocyte and neuron-to-microglia interactions in the inflamed brain.

Modulation of P2X4/P2X7/Pannexin-1 sensitivity to extracellular ATP via Ivermectin induces a non-apoptotic and inflammatory form of cancer cell death

Overexpression of P2X7 receptors correlates with tumor growth and metastasis. Yet, release of ATP is associated with immunogenic cancer cell death as well as inflammatory responses caused by necrotic cell death at sites of trauma or ischemia-reperfusion injury. Using an FDA-approved anti-parasitic agent Ivermectin as a prototype agent to allosterically modulate P2X4 receptors, we can switch the balance between the dual pro-survival and cytotoxic functions of purinergic signaling in breast cancer cells. This is mediated through augmented opening of the P2X4/P2X7-gated Pannexin-1 channels that drives a mixed apoptotic and necrotic mode of cell death associated with activation of caspase-1 and is consistent with pyroptosis. We show that cancer cell death is dependent on ATP release and death signals downstream of P2X7 receptors that can be reversed by inhibition of NADPH oxidases-generated ROS, Ca²⁺/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) or mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). Ivermectin induces autophagy and release of ATP and HMGB1, key mediators of inflammation. Potentiated P2X4/P2X7 signaling can be further linked to the ATP rich tumor microenvironment providing a mechanistic explanation for the tumor selectivity of purinergic receptors modulation and its potential to be used as a platform for integrated cancer immunotherapy.

Molecular characterization of purinergic receptor P2X4 involved in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) innate immune response and its interaction with ATP release channel Pannexin1

P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) is a member of trimeric ATP-gated receptor channel family. Despite the importance of P2X4R in innate immunity has been addressed in mammals, the immunological significance of P2X4R has not been characterized in fish. In the present study we identified a full-length P2X4R cDNA sequence from Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (termed poP2X4R) by RT-PCR and RACE approaches and analyzed its gene expression patterns under normal and immune challenge conditions. Qualitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that poP2X4R has a widespread distribution in all examined tissues but dominantly expressed in hepatopancreas. In Japanese flounder head kidney macrophages and peripheral blood lymphocytes, poP2X4R was rapidly and significantly up-regulated by the immune challenges of LPS, poly(I:C) and zymosan. In addition, poP2X4R was up-regulated in spleen, head kidney and gill tissues by Edwardsiella tarda infections. Furthermore, we showed that poP2X4R is a membrane glycoprotein which could interact with ATP release channel Pannexin1, an important component in extracellular ATP-activated purinergic signaling pathways involved in Japanese flounder innate immune response. From a comparative immunological point of view, our results have provided new evidence for the involvement of extracellular ATP-gated P2XRs in fish innate immunity.

Inhibition of P2X4 function by P2Y6 UDP receptors in microglia

ATP-gated P2X4 receptor channels expressed in spinal microglia actively participate in central sensitization, making their functional regulation a key process in chronic pain pathologies. P2Y6 metabotropic Gq -coupled receptors, also expressed in microglia, are involved in the initial response to nerve injury, triggering phagocytosis upon activation by UDP. It has been reported recently that expression of both P2X4 and P2Y6 is upregulated in activated microglia following nerve injury. We show here, in resting as well as LPS-activated primary microglia, that P2Y6 decreases P2X4-mediated calcium entry and inhibits the dilation of P2X4 channels into a large-conductance pore measured with a YO-PRO-1 uptake assay. Furthermore, P2Y6 activation modulates the ATP-dependent migration of microglia, a process likely involved in their shift from migratory to phagocytic phenotype. Reconstituting the P2X4-P2Y6 interaction in recombinant systems shows that P2Y6 activation decreases P2X4 current amplitude, activation and desensitization rates, and reduces P2X4 channel permeability to the large cation NMDG(+) . Phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of the phosphoinositide PI(4,5)P2 , a necessary cofactor for P2X4 channel function, underlies this inhibitory crosstalk. As extracellular levels of both ATP and UDP are increased in the spinal cord following nerve injury, the control of P2X4 activity by P2Y6 might play a critical role in regulating neuropathic pain-inducing microglial responses.

Staphylococcus aureus activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in human and rat conjunctival goblet cells

The conjunctiva is a moist mucosal membrane that is constantly exposed to an array of potential pathogens and triggers of inflammation. The NACHT, leucine rich repeat (LRR), and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is a Nod-like receptor that can sense pathogens or other triggers, and is highly expressed in wet mucosal membranes. NLRP3 is a member of the multi-protein complex termed the NLRP3 inflammasome that activates the caspase 1 pathway, inducing the secretion of biologically active IL-1β, a major initiator and promoter of inflammation. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine whether NLRP3 is expressed in the conjunctiva and (2) determine whether goblet cells specifically contribute to innate mediated inflammation via secretion of IL-1β. We report that the receptors known to be involved in the priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, the purinergic receptors P2X4 and P2X7 and the bacterial Toll-like receptor 2 are present and functional in conjunctival goblet cells. Toxin-containing Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, increased the expression of the inflammasome proteins NLRP3, ASC and pro- and mature caspase 1 in conjunctival goblet cells. The biologically active form of IL-1β was detected in goblet cell culture supernatants in response to S. aureus, which was reduced when the cells were treated with the caspase 1 inhibitor Z-YVAD. We conclude that the NLRP3 inflammasome components are present in conjunctival goblet cells. The NRLP3 inflammasome appears to be activated in conjunctival goblet cells by toxin-containing S. aureus via the caspase 1 pathway to secrete mature IL1-β. Thus goblet cells contribute to the innate immune response in the conjunctiva by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Activation of calcium-insensitive phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) by P2X(7) receptors in murine peritoneal macrophages

Free fatty acid releases are triggered by PLA2 activation and are substrates for many enzymes such as cyclooxygenases. These reactions are responsible for the production of many prostaglandins implicated in the inflammation yet many purinergic receptors have been implicated in diseases characterised by chronic inflammation. The role of P2X receptors was evaluated in LPS-primed murine peritoneal macrophages which were labelled with either [(3)H]-oleic acid or [(3)H]-arachidonic acid. Ten μmolar thapsigargin and 1mM ATP stimulated the release of both unsaturated acids. ATP had no effect at 10 μM and ivermectin had no effect on the response to ATP. The response to ATP was inhibited by magnesium and was not observed with cells from P2X(7)(-/-) mice. The response to ATP was not affected by the removal of extracellular calcium and was inhibited by arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone and bromoenol lactone but not by pyrrophenone. The release of the [(3)H]-fatty acids by ATP and thapsigargin was diminished by PD-98058, an inhibitor of MEK-1. It was concluded that in LPS-primed macrophages, P2X(7) receptors, not P2X(4) receptors, activated an iPLA(2) and promoted the release of unsaturated fatty acids secondary to the activation of a kinase. This response might contribute to the inflammation provoked by extracellular ATP.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor from microglia: a molecular substrate for neuropathic pain

One of the most significant advances in pain research is the realization that neurons are not the only cell type involved in the etiology of chronic pain. This realization has caused a radical shift from the previous dogma that neuronal dysfunction alone accounts for pain pathologies to the current framework of thinking that takes into account all cell types within the central nervous system (CNS). This shift in thinking stems from growing evidence that glia can modulate the function and directly shape the cellular architecture of nociceptive networks in the CNS. Microglia, in particular, are increasingly recognized as active principal players that respond to changes in physiological homeostasis by extending their processes toward the site of neural damage, and by releasing specific factors that have profound consequences on neuronal function and that contribute to CNS pathologies caused by disease or injury. A key molecule that modulates microglia activity is ATP, an endogenous ligand of the P2 receptor family. Microglia expresses several P2 receptor subtypes, and of these the P2X4 receptor subtype has emerged as a core microglia-neuron signaling pathway: activation of this receptor drives the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a cellular substrate that causes disinhibition of pain-transmitting spinal lamina I neurons. Converging evidence points to BDNF from spinal microglia as being a critical microglia-neuron signaling molecule that gates aberrant nociceptive processing in the spinal cord. The present review highlights recent advances in our understanding of P2X4 receptor-mediated signaling and regulation of BDNF in microglia, as well as the implications for microglia-neuron interactions in the pathobiology of neuropathic pain.

P2X4 purinoceptor signaling in chronic pain

ATP, acting via P2 purinergic receptors, is a known mediator of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. There is increasing evidence that the ATP-gated P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) subtype is a locus through which activity of spinal microglia and peripheral macrophages instigate pain hypersensitivity caused by inflammation or by injury to a peripheral nerve. The present article highlights the recent advances in our understanding of microglia-neuron interactions in neuropathic pain by focusing on the signaling and regulation of the P2X4R. We will also develop a framework for understanding converging lines of evidence for involvement of P2X4Rs expressed on macrophages in peripheral inflammatory pain.

P2X4 receptor channels form large noncytolytic pores in resting and activated microglia

P2X4 ATP-gated cation channels have been shown to contribute to the microglial component of central sensitization, making their functional regulation a key element in chronic pain pathologies. Here we show that prolonged activation of native P2X4 receptor channels by ATP induces opening of a pore permeable to NMDG(+) and large fluorescent dyes in BV-2 microglial cells and primary murine microglia. This intrinsic pore formation mechanism is potentiated by LPS treatment, known to upregulate P2X4 expression in microglial cells and to mimic the microglial activation observed in neuropathic pain states. Sustained activation of the P2X7 channel subtype, also expressed in microglia, induces a pore formation that requires pannexin hemichannels and leads to plasma membrane blebbing and cytotoxicity. In contrast, P2X4 pore formation is unaffected by the pannexin blocker carbenoxolone, does not induce cytoskeletal rearrangements and does not lead to cell death. Furthermore, we show that P2X4 pore dilation is modulated by phosphoinositides (PIP(n) ) levels as it is inhibited by wortmannin, a blocker of PIP(n) synthesis, suggesting possible regulation by phospholipase C-coupled pathways. Nonlethal P2X4 pore dilation could play a role in neuropathic pain by allowing the flux of large organic molecules in microglia. Different outcomes of P2X4 and P2X7 membrane permeabilization point to subtype-specific microglial responses to ATP in normal and pathological neuro-immune crosstalks.

ATP receptors gate microglia signaling in neuropathic pain

Microglia were described by Pio del Rio-Hortega (1932) as being the 'third element' distinct from neurons and astrocytes. Decades after this observation, the function and even the very existence of microglia as a distinct cell type were topics of intense debate and conjecture. However, considerable advances have been made towards understanding the neurobiology of microglia resulting in a radical shift in our view of them as being passive bystanders that have solely immune and supportive roles, to being active principal players that contribute to central nervous system pathologies caused by disease or following injury. Converging lines of evidence implicate microglia as being essential in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, a debilitating chronic pain condition that can occur after peripheral nerve damage caused by disease, infection, or physical injury. A key molecule that modulates microglial activity is ATP, an endogenous ligand of the P2-purinoceptor family consisting of P2X ionotropic and P2Y metabotropic receptors. Microglia express several P2 receptor subtypes, and of these the P2X4, P2X7, and P2Y12 receptor subtypes have been implicated in neuropathic pain. The P2X4 receptor has emerged as the core microglia-neuron signaling pathway: activation of this receptor causes release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which causes disinhibition of pain-transmission neurons in spinal lamina I. The present review highlights recent advances in understanding the signaling and regulation of P2 receptors expressed in microglia and the implications for microglia-neuron interactions for the management of neuropathic pain.

Purinergic regulation of high-glucose-induced caspase-1 activation in the rat retinal Müller cell line rMC-1

Chronic activation of proinflammatory caspase-1 in the retinas of diabetic animals and patients in vivo and retinal Müller cells in vitro is well documented. In this study we characterized how elevated glucose and extracellular purines contribute to the activation of caspase-1 in a cultured rat Müller cell (rMC-1) model. The ability of high glucose (25 mM, 24 h) to activate caspase-1 was attenuated by either apyrase, which metabolizes extracellular ATP to AMP, or adenosine deaminase (ADA), which metabolizes extracellular adenosine to inosine. This suggested that autocrine stimulation of ATP-sensing P2 receptors and adenosine-sensing P1 receptors may in part mediate the response to high glucose. Exogenous ATP, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine (NECA), a nonselective P1 receptor agonist, or forskolin (FSK) increased caspase-1 activity in rMC-1 cells cultured in control glucose (5 mM) medium. Accumulation of active caspase-1 was also increased by dipyridamole, which suppresses adenosine reuptake. High-glucose stimulation of caspase-1 was attenuated by suramin, a nonselective P2 antagonist, or A2 adenosine receptor antagonists, but not by antagonism of P2X7 ATP-gated ion channel receptors. Although high glucose increased P2X7 mRNA, neither P2X7 protein nor function was detected in rMC-1 cells. The increased caspase-1 activity stimulated by high glucose, FSK, NECA, or ATP was correlated with increased gene expression of caspase-1 and thioredoxin-interacting-protein (TXNIP). These findings support a novel role for autocrine P1 and P2 purinergic receptors coupled to cAMP signaling cascades and transcriptional induction of caspase-1 in mediating the high-glucose-induced activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β in a cell culture model of nonhematopoietic retinal Müller cells.

Secretion of IL-1β triggered by dynasore in murine peritoneal macrophages

The interaction of lipopolysaccharide-primed murine peritoneal macrophages with ivermectin, an antiparasite drug which potentiates P2X(4) receptors and dynasore which inhibits the GTPase activity of dynamin, a protein contributing to the internalization of plasma membrane proteins, was tested. Murine peritoneal macrophages express P2X(4) receptors which are mostly intracellular. In cells from P2X(7)-knockout mice (KO mice), 10 µm adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provoked a transient increase of the intracellular concentration of calcium. Ivermectin had no effect by itself but potentiated the increase of the intracellular concentration of calcium by ATP. The combination of ATP plus ivermectin also decreased the intracellular concentration of potassium and promoted the secretion of IL-1β. Concentrations of dynasore above 50 µm affected the integrity of mitochondria (MTT test) and of the plasma membrane (release of lactate dehydrogenase, LDH). At a 10 µm concentration, dynasore had no effect on the responses to ATP and on the internalization of P2X(4) receptors. By itself dynasore promoted the release of potassium and the secretion of IL-1β after activation of caspase-1. In conclusion, our results confirm that ivermectin potentiates the responses coupled to P2X(4) receptors probably by interaction with an allosteric site. We also show that this potentiation triggers the release of IL-1β by macrophages. As opposed to ivermectin, dynasore has no effect on P2X(4) receptors. This drug triggers a potassium efflux via a mechanism which does not involve purinergic receptors and generates, in consequence, the activation of caspase-1 and the secretion of IL-1β.