Endocrine Abstracts

The purinergic signaling complex comprising extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides, and their receptors, the P2 and P1 purinergic receptors, respectively, as well as catabolic enzymes and nucleoside transporters is a major regulatory system in the body. Macrophages are cells of the innate immune system that play myriad roles in the body. Macrophages are subject to regulation by the purinergic signaling complex. Macrophages are known to reside in endocrine glands and a body of evidence now suggests that these cells interact closely with endocrine cells and play important roles in both physiological and pathophysiological states. In the realm of inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, endocrine organs are known to be a frequent target, possibly due to the expression of a high density of major histocomptability complex (MHC)-II molecules on resident macrophages. This implicates a key role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of auto-immune endocrine diseases and making them attractive targets for pharmacotherapy. Here I summarize the diverse roles played by the purinergic signaling complex in regulating macrophages in the endocrine system and identify potential targets for pharmacotherapy in endocrine diseases.