A novel assay to detect nucleotide receptor P2X7 genetic polymorphisms influencing numerous innate immune functions

The importance of accessory signaling pathways amplifying endotoxin responses has recently been highlighted by genetic studies describing LPS-hyporesponsive individuals despite carrying the common allele for TLR4. The nucleotide receptor P2X(7) modulates the production of numerous LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediators. We have recently described the largest phenotypic screen known for genetic polymorphisms associated with the nucleotide receptor P2X(7),a global regulator of leukocyte function. This required the development of a novel monocyte pore assay with numerous advantages over previous methods and with the potential to facilitate rapid (< 3 h), multiplex analysis of clinical samples. This paper addresses aspects pertinent to the development of the monocyte pore assay, briefly summarizes our results suggesting that P2X(7) alleles modulate LPS-stimulated cytokine production, and discusses a model wherein P2X(7) may serve as an amplification loop of innate immunity.