Pathophysiological Role of Extracellular Purinergic Mediators in the Control of Intestinal Inflammation

Figure 2

In the intestinal compartment, extracellular ATP (eATP) is released from damaged epithelial cells and commensal bacteria. Macrophages, platelets, mast cells, and neutrophils are potential source of eATP upon their activation. Neutrophils facilitate translocation of platelets across intestinal epithelium. eATP also induces Th17 cell generation, activation of mast cells, and neuronal cell death, promoting intestinal inflammation. APCs: antigen-presenting cells. eATP stimulates mast cells to induce the production of inflammatory chemokines (e.g., CCL2, CCL4, CCL7, CXCL1, and CXCL2), cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα), and mediators (histamines and leukotrienes).