Crosstalk between the Purinergic and Immune Systems: Implications for the Glutathione Antioxidant System in Health and Disease

Abstract

Glutathione (GSH) represents the major nonprotein thiol in cells and, alongside with glutathione-dependent enzymes such as glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), exerts several biological functions including the protection against free radicals and other essential metabolic reactions within the body. Disturbances in the homeostasis of this complex glutathione antioxidant system may damage cells and have been implicated with the development and progression of several human diseases. In this context, the immune and purinergic systems are also essential, since the dysregulation in both systems may also be correlated with numerous diseases. These two networks are closely related and control inflammatory responses, especially by the crosstalk of signaling molecules, receptors, and enzymes; thus, they can exacerbate or slow down the progression of diseases. Based on this background, we aimed to provide a general scenario of the purinergic and immune systems and the connection between both and the modulation of glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzyme expression and activity in the context of health and disease.