P2X7 receptor as the regulator of T-cell function in intestinal barrier disruption

Figure 1 The activation of the P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome. The P2X7 receptor is activated by extracellular ATP and NAD⁺ and serves as an ion channel. It can also form non-selective macropores. The activated P2X7 receptor induces the decreasing of intracellular K⁺, which initiates NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. The activated process of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β and pro-IL-18 are triggered by the active caspase-1 that results from the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Mature inflammatory cytokines are released into extracellular space from cells, which finally results in the cell death. ADPR: ADP-ribose; ARTC2.2: ADP-ribosyltransferase 2.2; ASC: Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD; NLRP3: NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3; IL-18: Interleukin-18; IL-1β: Interleukin-1β.