Extracellular ATP induces cell death in human intestinal epithelial cells

摘要

Background: Extracellular ATP is an endogenous signaling molecule released by various cell types and under different stimuli. High concentrations of ATP released into the extracellular medium activate the P2X7 receptor in most inflammatory conditions. Here, we seek to characterize the effects of ATP in human intestinal epithelial cells and to evaluate morphological changes in these cells in the presence of ATP.