P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) is the most widely expressed subtype of the P2XRs in the
purinergic receptor family.
Adenosine triphosphate (
ATP), a
ligand for this receptor, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of
asthma. ATP‑P2X4R signaling is involved in pulmonary
vascular remodeling, and in the proliferation and differentiation of airway and alveolar epithelial cell lines. However, the role of P2X4R in
asthma remains to be elucidated. This aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of P2X4R in a murine experimental
asthma model. The asthmatic model was established by the inhalation of
ovalbumin (OVA) in BALB/c mice. The mice were treated with P2X4R‑specific agonists and antagonists to investigate the role of this receptor in vivo. Pathological changes in the bronchi and lung tissues were examined using
hematoxylin and
eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining and
Alcian blue staining. The inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted, and the expression levels of P2X4R, α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) and
proliferating cell nuclear antigen (
PCNA) were detected using western blotting. In the OVA‑challenged mice,
inflammation, infiltration,
collagen deposition, mucus production, and the expression levels of P2X4R and
PCNA were all increased; however, the expression of α‑SMA was decreased, compared with the mice in the control group. Whereas treatment with the P2X4R agonist,
ATP, enhanced the
allergic reaction, treatment with the P2X4R antagonist, 5‑BDBD, attenuated the
allergic reaction. The results suggested that ATP‑P2X4R signaling may not only contribute to airway
inflammation, but it may also contribute to
airway remodeling in allergic
asthma in mice.