The Pannexin 1 Pathway
Increased inflammatory signaling in the Pannexin 1 (Panx1) ion channel stimulates release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, and PDGF, driving fibrotic pathology, thus providing a discovery platform for a range of fibrotic diseases
Liver disease
Panx1 is a validated target in liver fibrogenesis.(1)
Renal disease
Pharmacological inhibition of Panx1 and genetic deletion of Panx1 globally, in proximal tubule or in vascular endothelium in mouse, are protective against ischemic AKI. (2)
Cardiac disease
Cardiomyocytes have been shown to release ATP via Panx1 which contributes to activation of fibroblasts (Dolmatova et al., 2012).(3)
(1) Arch Toxicol. 2018 August ; 92(8): 2607–2627. doi:10.1007/s00204-018-2255-3
(2) J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018 Jul;29(7):1887-1899. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2017121306. Epub 2018 Jun 4.
(3) Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012;303:H1208–H1218