Dear Colleagues,

Purinergic receptors, also known as purinoceptors, are a family of plasma membrane molecules found in almost all mammalian tissues. In the field of purinergic signaling, these receptors play a role in many physiological functions such as learning, memory, locomotion, and sleep. More specifically, they are involved in several cellular functions, including proliferation and migration of neural stem cells, vascular reactivity, apoptosis and cytokine secretion. The term “purinergic receptor” was originally introduced to illustrate specific classes of membrane receptors that mediate relaxation of gut smooth muscle as a response to the release of ATP (P2 receptors) or adenosine (P1 receptors). P2 receptors have further been divided into subclasses: P2X, P2Y. P2X receptors are a family of ligand-gated ion channels that allow the passage of ions across cell membranes. P2Y receptors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that initiate an intracellular chain of reactions.

Some of purinergic receptors have been found to play important roles in the ocular tissues including the lacrimal gland, the cornea, the trabecular meshwork, the lens, and the retina. For example, the P2X₇ receptor possesses unique features that are likely to be of both physiological and pathophysiological significance. Expression of the P2X₇ receptor has been demonstrated in most types of cells in the retina; these include neurons such as the retinal ganglion cells, as well as glia and vascular cells. For instance, stimulation of P2X₇ receptor has been reported to be involved in neuronal and microvascular cell death under pathogenic condition like ischemia, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

The current Special Issue is open to submissions of unpublished experimental articles and review papers on the following and related topics:

• Fundamental basis of purinergic receptors

• Physiological roles of purinergic receptors

• Pathological roles of purinergic receptors

• Purinergic receptors as a potential therapeutic target for ocular diseases

Dr. Tetsuya Sugiyama
Guest Editor

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• purinergic receptors

• ATP

• adenosine

• lacrimal gland

• cornea

• trabecular meshwork

• lens

• retina

• retinal ganglion cells

• vascular cells

• glia

• glaucoma

• diabetic retinopathy