P2x7 Receptor Signaling Blockade Reduces Lung Inflammation and Necrosis During Severe Experimental Tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: The risk of developing severe forms of tuberculosis has increased by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, lack of effective drugs to eliminate latent infection and the emergence of drug-resistant mycobacterial strains. Excessive inflammatory response and tissue damage associated with severe tuberculosis contribute to poor outcome of the disease. Our previous studies using mice deficient in the ATP-gated ionotropic P2X7 receptor suggested this molecule as a promising target for host-directed therapy in severe pulmonary tuberculosis. In this study, we assessed the effects of P2X7 pharmacological blockade on disease severity. First, we observed an increase in P2RX7 gene expression in the peripheral blood of tuberculosis patients compared to healthy donors. Lung leuko

SUBMITTER: Santiago-Carvalho I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8131868 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature