Abstract::The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-gated non-selective cation
channel, has emerged as a gatekeeper of inflammation that controls the release of proinflammatory
cytokines. As a key player in initiating the inflammatory signaling cascade,
the P2X7 receptor is currently under intense scrutiny as a target for the treatment of different
pathologies, including chronic inflammatory disorders (rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis),
chronic neuropathic pain, mood disorders (depression and anxiety), neurodegenerative
diseases, ischemia, cancer (leukemia), and many others. For these reasons,
pharmaceutical companies have invested in discovering compounds able to modulate the
P2X7R and filed many patent applications. This review article presents an account of
P2X7R structure, function, and tissue distribution, emphasizing its role in inflammation.
Next, we illustrate the different chemical classes of non-competitive P2X7R antagonists
reported by highlighting their properties and qualities as clinical candidates for treating inflammatory
disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss the efforts to develop
effective Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radioligands to progress the understanding
of the pathomechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders, to provide evidence of
drug-target engagement, and to assist clinical dose selection for novel drug therapies.