BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEIn mammalian cells, the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin is known as a positive allosteric modulator of the ATP-activated ion channel P2X4 and is used to discriminate between P2X4-and P2X7-mediated cellular responses. In this paper we provide evidence that the reported isoform selectivity of ivermectin is a species-specific phenomenon. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHComplementary electrophysiological and fluorometric methods were applied to evaluate the effect of ivermectin on recombinantly expressed and on native P2X7 receptors. A biophysical characterization of ionic currents and of the pore dilation properties is provided. KEY RESULTSUnexpectedly, ivermectin potentiated currents in human monocyte-derived macrophages that endogenously express hP2X7 receptors. Likewise, currents and [Ca 2+ ]i influx through recombinant human (hP2X7) receptors were potently enhanced by ivermectin at submaximal or saturating ATP concentrations. Since intracellular ivermectin did not mimic or prevent its activity when applied to the bath solution, the binding site of ivermectin on hP2X7 receptors appears to be accessible from the extracellular side. In contrast to currents through P2X4 receptors, ivermectin did not cause a delay in hP2X7 current decay upon ATP removal. Interestingly, NMDG + permeability and Yo-Pro-1 uptake were not affected by ivermectin. On rat or mouse P2X7 receptors, ivermectin was only poorly effective, suggesting a species-specific mode of action. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThe data indicate a previously unrecognized species-specific modulation of human P2X7 receptors by ivermectin that should be considered when using this cell-biological tool in human cells and tissues. AZ 10606120, N-[2-[[2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)

P2X7 receptors have emerged as potential drug targets for the treatment of medical conditions such as e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathic pain. To assess the impact of pharmaceuticals on P2X7, we screened a compound library comprising approved or clinically tested drugs and identified several compounds that augment the ATP-triggered P2X7 activity in a stably transfected HEK293 cell line. Of these, clemastine markedly sensitized Ca 2؉ entry through P2X7 to lower ATP concentrations. Extracellularly but not intracellularly applied clemastine rapidly and reversibly augmented P2X7-mediated whole-cell currents evoked by non-saturating ATP concentrations. Clemastine also accelerated the ATP-induced pore formation and Yo-Pro-1 uptake, increased the fractional NMDG ؉ permeability, and stabilized the open channel conformation of P2X7. Thus, clemastine is an extracellularly binding allosteric modulator of P2X7 that sensitizes P2X7 to lower ATP concentrations and facilitates its pore dilation. The activity of clemastine on native P2X7 receptors, Ca 2؉ entry, and whole-cell currents was confirmed in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Similar effects were observed in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. Consistent with the data on recombinant P2X7, clemastine augmented the ATP-induced cation entry and Yo-Pro-1 uptake. In accordance with the observation that P2X7 controls the cytokine release from LPS-primed macrophages, we found that clemastine augmented the IL-1␤ release from LPS-primed human macrophages. Collectively, these data point to a sensitization of the recombinantly or natively expressed human P2X7 receptor toward its physiological activator, ATP, possibly leading to a modulation of macrophage-dependent immune responses.

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Background and purpose: P2X7 receptors are ATP-gated cation channels mediating important functions in microglial cells, such as the release of cytokines and phagocytosis. Electrophysiological evidence that these receptors also occur in CNS astroglia is rare and rather incomplete. Experimental approach: We used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to search for P2X7 receptors in astroglial-neuronal co-cultures prepared from the cerebral cortex of rats. Key results: All the astroglial cells investigated responded to ATP with membrane currents, reversing around 0 mV. These currents could be also detected in isolated outside-out patch vesicles. The results of the experiments with the P2X [a,bmethylene ATP and 2′-3′-O-(4-benzoyl) ATP] and P2Y receptor agonists [adenosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), uridine 5′-diphosphate, uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP) and UDP-glucose] suggested the involvement of P2X receptors in this response. The potentiation of ATP responses in a low divalent cation or alkaline bath, but not by ivermectin, made it likely that a P2X7 receptor is operational. Blockade of the ATP effect by the P2X7 antagonists Brilliant Blue G, calmidazolium and oxidized ATP corroborated this assumption. Conclusions and implications:Rat cultured cortical astroglia possesses functional P2X7 receptors. It is suggested that astrocytic P2X7 receptors respond to high local ATP concentrations during neuronal injury.

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