Expression and function of P2X7 receptor and CD39/Entpd1 in patients with type 2 diabetes and their association with biochemical parameters

Chronic inflammation is an important contributor to the insulin resistance observed in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated the expression and function of the P2X7 receptor and CD39/Entpd1, molecules involved in the cellular regulation of inflammation, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from T2D patients, and their correlation with the concentration of HbA1c in blood. T2D patients with deficient metabolic control (DC) showed increased proportion of P2X7+ cells compared with healthy individuals; T2D-DC subjects also displayed higher proportion of CD14+, CD4+ and CD19+ subpopulations of P2X7+ cells when compared with T2D patients with acceptable metabolic control. A significant association was observed between the proportion of P2X7+CD14+ cells and blood concentration of LDL-c. In addition, the percentages of CD39+ cells and CD39+CD19+ cells were significantly associated with HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels. No changes were observed in the function of P2X7+ cells from T2D patients; however, enhanced CD39/Entpd1 enzyme activity and low serum levels of IL-17 were detected. Therefore, CD39+ cells could have a balancing regulatory role in the inflammatory process observed in patients with T2D.