Abstract
The purinergic system is composed of purine and pyrimidine transmitters, the enzymes that modulate the interconversion of nucleotides and nucleosides, the membrane transporters that control their extracellular concentrations, and the many receptor subtypes that are responsible for their cellular responses. The components of this system are ubiquitously localized in all tissues and organs, and their involvement in several physiological conditions has been clearly demonstrated. Moreover, extracellular purine and pyrimidine concentrations rise several folds under pathological conditions like tissue damage, ischemia, and inflammation, which suggest that this signaling system might contribute both to disease outcome and, possibly, to its tentative resolution. The complexity of this system has greatly impaired the clear identification of the mediators and receptors that are actually involved in a given pathology, also due to the often opposite roles played by the various receptor subtypes. Nevertheless, this knowledge is fundamental for the possible exploitation of these molecular entities as targets for the development of new pharmacological approaches. In this review, we aim at highlighting what is currently known on the role of the purinergic system in various pain conditions and during inflammatory processes. Although some confusion may arise from conflicting results, literature data clearly show that targeting specific purinergic receptors may represent an innovative approach to various pain and inflammatory conditions, and that new purine-based drugs are now very close to reach the market with these indications.
Keywords: P1 receptors, P2X receptors, P2Y receptors, Adenosine, ATP, UTP, ectonucleotidases, membrane transporters.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Tackling Chronic Pain and Inflammation through the Purinergic System
Volume: 25 Issue: 32
Author(s): Giulia Magni, Daniele Riccio and Stefania Ceruti*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Milan,Italy
Keywords: P1 receptors, P2X receptors, P2Y receptors, Adenosine, ATP, UTP, ectonucleotidases, membrane transporters.
Abstract: The purinergic system is composed of purine and pyrimidine transmitters, the enzymes that modulate the interconversion of nucleotides and nucleosides, the membrane transporters that control their extracellular concentrations, and the many receptor subtypes that are responsible for their cellular responses. The components of this system are ubiquitously localized in all tissues and organs, and their involvement in several physiological conditions has been clearly demonstrated. Moreover, extracellular purine and pyrimidine concentrations rise several folds under pathological conditions like tissue damage, ischemia, and inflammation, which suggest that this signaling system might contribute both to disease outcome and, possibly, to its tentative resolution. The complexity of this system has greatly impaired the clear identification of the mediators and receptors that are actually involved in a given pathology, also due to the often opposite roles played by the various receptor subtypes. Nevertheless, this knowledge is fundamental for the possible exploitation of these molecular entities as targets for the development of new pharmacological approaches. In this review, we aim at highlighting what is currently known on the role of the purinergic system in various pain conditions and during inflammatory processes. Although some confusion may arise from conflicting results, literature data clearly show that targeting specific purinergic receptors may represent an innovative approach to various pain and inflammatory conditions, and that new purine-based drugs are now very close to reach the market with these indications.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Magni Giulia , Riccio Daniele and Ceruti Stefania *, Tackling Chronic Pain and Inflammation through the Purinergic System, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 25 (32) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170710110630
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170710110630 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Metallic Colloid Nanotechnology, Applications in Diagnosis and Therapeutics
Current Pharmaceutical Design “SLY AS A FOXO”: New Paths with Forkhead Signaling in the Brain
Current Neurovascular Research Fibrinogen Signal Transduction as a Mediator and Therapeutic Target in Inflammation:Lessons from Multiple Sclerosis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Multiple Sclerosis - A Coordinated Immune Attack Across the Blood Brain Barrier
Current Neurovascular Research Boosting Interleukin-10 Production: Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Dental Pulp from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth-derived Stromal Cells Demonstrated Neuronal Potential: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: An Open Label Study
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy COVID-19, the Brain, and the Future: Is Infection by the Novel Coronavirus a Harbinger of Neurodegeneration?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Synthesis and Evaluation of Thiazolidinedione-Coumarin Adducts as Antidiabetic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Agents
Letters in Organic Chemistry Immune Response to Herpes Simplex Virus and γ134.5 Deleted HSV Vectors
Current Gene Therapy Sympathetic Nervous System Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis, Linking Neurodegeneration to a Reduced Response to Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nerve Growth Factor: A Focus on Neuroscience and Therapy
Current Neuropharmacology Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Clinical Management and Unmet Needs New Perspectives for an Old Problem
Current Drug Targets Therapeutic Manipulation of the Immune System: Enhancement of Innate and Adaptive Mucosal Immunity
Current Pharmaceutical Design Applications of iTRAQ and TMT Labeling Techniques to the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Protein & Peptide Science Therapeutic Benefits of Regulating Inflammation in Autoimmunity
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Contrasting Roles of the Galectin-3 in the Schizophrenia Onset, Clinical Presentation, and Somatic Comorbidity
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Subject Index To Volume-3
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Neuroimaging of Central Sensitivity Syndromes: Key Insights from the Scientific Literature
Current Rheumatology Reviews Cannabinoids
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders