A novel role for P2X7 receptor signalling in the survival of mouse embryonic stem cells

Reference:

Thompson, B. A. N., Storm, M. P., Hewinson, J., Hogg, S., Welham, M. J. and Mackenzie, A. B., 2012. A novel role for P2X7 receptor signalling in the survival of mouse embryonic stem cells. Cellular Signalling, 24 (3), pp. 770-778.

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Official URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2011.11.012

Abstract

The growth of a pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cell population is dependent on cell survival, proliferation and self-renewal. The nucleotide ATP represents an important extracellular signalling molecule that regulates the survival of differentiated cells, however, its role is largely undefined in embryonic stem cells. Here we report a role for ATP-gated P2X7 receptors in ES cell survival. The functional expression of P2X7 receptors in undifferentiated mouse ES cells is demonstrated using a selective P2X7 antagonist and small interfering RNA knockdown of these receptors. Our data illustrate a key role for the P2X7 receptor as an essential pro-survival signal required for optimal ES cell colony growth in the presence of leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF). However, chronic exposure to exogenous ATP leads to rapid P2X7-dependent cell death via necrosis. Together, these data demonstrate a novel role for P2X7 receptors in regulation of ES cell behaviour where they can mediate either a pro-survival or pro-death signal depending on the mode of activation.

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