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. 2017 Nov 14;12(11):e0188069. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188069

Fig 9. Harvest traction stretch injury led to ATP release, activation of P2X7R and endothelial dysfunction.

Fig 9

During endoscopic harvest of human saphenous vein (HSV), traction stretch injury leads to release of ATP from vascular cells. The high concentrations of extracellular ATP (eATP) activate P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) which leads to further release of ATP from P2X7R channels and activation of p38MAPK. Brilliant blue FCF (FCF) is an inhibitor of P2X7R and SB203580 is a small molecule inhibitor of p38 MAPK. P38 MAPK leads to arginase activation which decreases nitric oxide (NO) resulting in endothelial dysfunction.