Systemic impact of purinergic P2X7 receptor activity at the interface between gut-associated lymphoid tissue and commensal microflora

The present project stems from the observation that mice lacking the ATP-responsive P2X7 receptor show increased IgA response to commensals in the gut. This effect is due to resistance to ATP induced cell death of follicular B helper T (TFH) cells in the Peyer's patches of the small intestine. We will investigate whether P2X7 might constitute a pharmacological target for enhancing adaptive immunity to pathogens and how P2X7 might regulate host-commensals mutualism.