Purinergic receptors

Project Objectives

This research aims to investigate the pathophysiological and clinical significance of purinergic receptor expression in the esophageal mucosa of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), both erosive (ERD) and non-erosive (NERD), compared to healthy controls. Purinergic receptors are expressed in significantly higher concentrations in human esophageal epithelial cells compared to other receptors and have been implicated in the genesis of the symptoms that characterize GERD, a functional disorder with a high prevalence in the general population and a significant impact on patients' quality of life. By taking biopsy samples during endoscopic examinations, which are part of the diagnostic workup of patients, we will investigate the relationship between the expression and localization of these receptors, the symptoms reported by patients, and the histological level of inflammation, which differentiates the erosive form (with esophagitis, ERD) from the non-erosive form of GERD. This will help identify new pathophysiological mechanisms that could be the targets of innovative, targeted therapies.

Start and end date

2013 - ongoing

Project Manager

Prof. Michele Cicala - Director of the Gastroenterology Unit, Associate Professor of Gastroenterology

Project Coordinating Institution

Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma

Other institutions involved

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo