Duality of P2X7 Receptor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Much has been explained to date about the multifactorial nature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and about the multiple cellular/molecular targets and genes involved in the disease. Even more has been said about the pleiotropic and sometimes opposite functions of purinergic ionotropic P2X7 receptor. Bearing this in mind, the first question we ask is: why should we tell something more about P2X7 in ALS? The answer is simple: despite some apparently conflicting results, our general understanding supports the fact that the pathological mechanisms of ALS indeed proceed through pathways in which P2X7 plays a crucial and dual role. In our opinion, this topic is surely worth updating and discussing.