Legend to Figure 1
Central role of the P2X7R in Sars-Cov-2-dependent lung inflammation.
Sars-Cov-2 infects lung mononuclear phagocytes, besides epithelial
cells, triggering massive ATP release which feeds-back on the P2X7R
expressed on macrophages and antigen-presenting cells (APC). P2X7R
activation down-modulates MHC-I expression, and at the same time
promotes IL-6 release, NLRP3-mediated IL-1β and IL-18 release, VEGF
secretion and thus lung edema. Release of several other cytokines and
chemokines is also promoted by P2X7R activation. Stimulation of P2X7R on
APC-stimulated T lymphocytes causes exhaustion and T cell polarization.
The combined effect of all these factors promotes the pathophysiological
changes typical of ARDS.