Investigating P2×7R‐mediated inflammatory signalling in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is pathologically characterised by the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles accompanied by a marked neuroinflammation which contributes to the onset and progression of AD. Astrocytes and microglia recognize danger‐associated molecular patterns (Aß, ATP) through a myriad of sensors including the purinergic receptor P2×7 (P2×7R). These interactions lead to the release of inflammatory mediators that could participate in damaging inter‐cellular cascades. Inhibition of P2×7R in AD models ameliorates cognitive deficits and supports a neuroprotective effect of P2×7R blockade in vivo. However, the cell type‐specific inflammatory signals downstream of P2×7R in AD are not fully understood.