Adipocyte P2X7 receptors expression: A role in modulating inflammatory response in subjects with metabolic syndrome?

Human adipocytes express functionally active P2X7R, which modulate the release of inflammatory cytokines, at least in part via inflammasome activation. Adipocytes from MS patients show an enhanced P2X7R expression, which might contribute to the subclinical inflammatory status characterizing these patients and conferring them an increased CV risk.