The roles of purinergic signaling during gastrointestinal inflammation

► Purinergic signaling in the gut is remarkably plastic and compartmentalized. ► Inflammation decreases purinergic neurovascular and neuromuscular transmission. ► Purine release from immune and epithelial cells is increased in colitis. ► P2X7 receptor and pannexin channel activation in colitis leads to neuronal loss. ► Inflammation-induced nociception involves spinal afferent P2X receptor activation.