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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Mol Med (Berl). 2013 Jan 8;91(2):157–164. doi: 10.1007/s00109-012-0990-0

Figure 1. Coordinated activation of mucosal hydration during inflammation.

Figure 1

During active inflammation, PMN transmigration (in conjunction with platelets, see text) migrate across the apical side of intestinal epithelial cells. PMN and platelet-derived ATP is metabolized to adenosine by a two-step enzymatic reaction involving ecto-apyrase (CD39 and CD39-like enzymes) and ecto-nucleotidase (CD73). Adenosine binding to epithelial adenosine A2B receptors results in activation of electrogenic Cl secretion and the paracellular movement of water. Such platelet/PMN - epithelial crosstalk pathway may serve as a defensive response by which mucosal surfaces are flushed from bacteria and bacterial products under inflammatory conditions.