BioCentury
ARTICLE | Distillery Therapeutics

Therapeutics: Purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2RX7; P2X7)

July 9, 2015 7:00 AM UTC

Cell culture studies suggest P2RX7 inhibitors or imipramine could help treat HIV infection. In an assay of ATP-stimulated virion release in HIV-infected human macrophage cell lines, a research-grade inhibitor of P2RX7 or imipramine - an inhibitor of microvesicle shedding - decreased virion release compared with no treatment. Next steps include identifying other host molecules that interact with P2RX7 during HIV virion release.

Mallinckrodt plc markets the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) Tofranil imipramine hydrochloride to treat depression and incontinence...