Inhibiting ATP/P2X7R signaling protects intestinal barrier in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and Crohn’s disease through inactivating NF-κB pathway in macrophages

To the Editor:The enhanced activation of immune cells is a decisive factor for the pathological progress of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),which can release generous inflammatory cytokines and bioactive molecules suggesting their roles as potential therapeutic targets for IBD.Purinergic receptors are a family of membranous proteins found extensively in many mammalian tissues and organs.As a subtype of purinergic receptors,the expressions of P2X7 receptor(P2X7R)can be detected abundantly in epithelial cells and most immune cells.During inflammation,adenosine triphosphate(ATP)is released extracellularly by various stimuli.In general,through the activation of P2X7R.