Human rheumatoid synoviocytes express functional P2X7 receptors

Abstract

Human type B synoviocytes are involved in joint injury during rheumatic diseases by producing inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). The increased level of purine and pirimidine nucleotides in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients could activate the large family of P2 receptors. Thus, we investigated the presence of P2 receptors in human type B synoviocytes from rheumatoid joints, also evaluating whether the P2X7 receptor is involved in IL-6 release. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for the P2X1, P2X2, P2X4, P2X5, P2X6, P2X7, P2Y1, P2Y4, P2Y11, P2Y12, P2Y13, and P2Y14 but not the P2X3, P2Y2, and P2Y6 receptors. The expression of the P2X7 receptor was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the P2X7 receptor agonist 2'-3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP) triggered an increase in intracellular calcium, thereby suggesting the expression of functional P2 receptors, including the P2X7 receptor. Moreover, BzATP treatment upregulated both IL-6 mRNA and protein expression. Synoviocytes spontaneously released low quantities of IL-6; the incubation with BzATP induced the release of larger amounts of the cytokine, and such a release was blunted by the P2X7 antagonist oxidized ATP. The selective P2X1 and P2X3 receptor agonist alpha,beta-methylene ATP did not affect IL-6 release. Finally, BzATP failed to induce a significant uptake of the large-molecule YO-PRO, thus suggesting the lack of pore formation after P2X7 receptor stimulation. In conclusion, among the different P2 receptors expressed on human RA type B synoviocytes, the P2X7 receptor may modulate IL-6 release but not inducing changes in cell membrane permeability.

Human P2X7 receptor activation induces the rapid shedding of CXCL16

“…Functional P2X7 receptors are expressed on leukocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients [25] and human rheumatoid synoviocytes [26], while amounts of soluble CXCL16 and CD23 are increased within rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid [24,[27][28][29]. However, evidence directly linking these three molecules to each other in inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis is lacking.…”

The role of P2X7 receptors in tissue fibrosis: a brief review

“…The P2X 7 R is predominantly expressed on cells of hematopoietic origin such as monocytes [24], dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes, eosinophils, mast cells, but also on various types of glia within the peripheral and central nervous system including microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells [25,26]. Moreover, P2X 7 R protein is expressed on epithelial cells, osteoblasts, synoviocytes, and fibroblasts [27][28][29][30].…”

P2X₁ and P2X₃ Purinergic Receptors Differentially Modulate the Inflammatory Response in Human Osteoarthritic Synovial Fibroblasts

“…The pharmacological characterization of P2 receptors and the effects of nucleotides on SFs have not been investigated in detail although it has been shown that these cells respond to extracellular ATP [7]. Synergistic interaction between IL-6, PGE 2 and the presence of purinergic receptors in SFs may be important in the modulation of the joint tissue destruction including the damage related to inflammatory pathologies [9,10]. It is well reported that ATP was able to mediate an increase of IL-6 and TNF-in different cell lines [11,12].…”