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
-
CRF Receptor Antagonists: Utility in Research and Clinical Practice
Current Medicinal Chemistry Safety and Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Children and Young Adults with Haematological Malignancies: Review and Future Perspectives
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Magnetic Field-Assisted Gene Delivery: Achievements and Therapeutic Potential
Current Gene Therapy Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Therapeutic Application of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors for Stroke
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Immunosuppressive Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Advances and Applications
Current Molecular Medicine Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Case-Controlled Study
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Putative Immune Regulatory Role of Statins
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Identification of Novel Anti-inflammatory Agents from Ayurvedic Medicine for Prevention of Chronic Diseases: “Reverse Pharmacology” and “Bedside to Bench” Approach
Current Drug Targets Therapeutic Strategies in HTLV-I-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP)
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Genetic and Pharmacological Modulation of Dendritic Cell-T Cell Interactions as a Therapeutic Strategy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Current Gene Therapy Inflammation and Inflammatory Cell Recruitment in Acute Cerebrovascular Diseases
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Pericyte: Potential Target for Hemorrhagic Stroke Prevention and Treatment
Current Drug Delivery Aptamers as Innovative Diagnostic and Therapeutic Agents in the Central Nervous System
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Microglial Senescence
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Changing Landscape of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels in Neurovascular Disorders and in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Neuropharmacology Distribution of Podoplanin in Synovial Tissues in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Using Biologic or Conventional Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
Current Rheumatology Reviews Developmental Immunotoxicity (DIT) in Drug Safety Testing: Matching DIT Testing to Adverse Outcomes and Childhood Disease Risk
Current Drug Safety Oral Contraceptives and Autoimmune Diseases
Current Women`s Health Reviews Targeted Drug Delivery System for Platinum-based Anticancer Drugs
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry