Distribution of the purinegic receptors P2X4 and P2X6 during rat gut development

The purinergic receptors P2X4 and P2X6 are ion channels activated by ATP. These receptors are present in the gastrointestinal tract, and they are involved in synaptic transmission, taste sensation, and pain, among other functions. In this work, we studied the distribution of P2X4 and P2X6 receptors in proximal and distal regions of the gut newborn and adult rats. Using immunohistochemistry, purinergic receptors were found in gut epithelial cells and capillary vessels. In both proximal and distal regions of newborn rats, we observed P2X4 signal in epithelial cells, whereas P2X6 was present in capillary vessels in the proximal region and to a lesser extent in the distal region. In both regions of adult gut, we observed P2X4 and P2X6 immunostain in the capillary vessels. Semi-quantification indicated a significant difference in the amount of P2X4 between proximal regions, whereas the P2X6 content of both newborn regions differed from that in adult proximal gut. We conclude that P2X4 and P2X6 purinoreceptors are present in the gut from birth and that they are differentially distributed among regions.

► A strong immunosignal for P2X4 receptor in newborn gut.
► Immunosignal for P2X6 in capillary vessels in the newborn gut.
► We found a significant difference between P2X4 and P2X6 receptors.