Abstract

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) acts as a crucial danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that modulates immune cell function through purinergic receptors. This study investigates the specific influence of exogenous ATP on the functional responses of murine bone marrow-derived granulocytes, a vital component of the innate immune system. We hypothesized that ATP, acting via P2 receptors, would significantly alter key granulocyte activities. Using flow cytometry, live-cell imaging, and chemotaxis assays, we assessed ATP's impact on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, degranulation, and directed migration. Our findings demonstrate that exogenous ATP potently enhances ROS generation and promotes the release of granular contents, indicating a heightened state of activation. Furthermore, ATP significantly modulated granulocyte chemotaxis towards inflammatory signals. Pharmacological analysis suggests that these effects are primarily mediated through the P2X7 and P2Y2 receptor subtypes, highlighting their role in regulating granulocyte membrane signaling and cellular effector functions. These results underscore the importance of purinergic signaling in the immediate regulation of innate immunity and provide a molecular basis for targeting the ATP-P2 receptor axis to modulate inflammatory and infectious diseases.