The role of extracellular ATP-mediated purinergic signaling in bone, cartilage, and tooth tissue

Purinergic signaling is involved in osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and dental sensory perception, indicating that ATP is an essential signaling molecule in bone, cartilage, and teeth. The downstream effects of ATP-mediated signaling are largely dependent on the receptors expressed in the tissue as well as the stage of cellular differentiation. While the current literature has greatly advanced our understanding of purinergic signaling, additional research is necessary to fully elucidate the function of ATP-mediated pathways.