The role of P2Y6R in cardiovascular diseases and recent development of P2Y6R antagonists

As a member of the P2Y receptor family with a typical 7-transmembrane structure, P2Y6 purinergic receptor (P2Y6R) belongs to the G-protein-coupled nucleotide receptor activating the phospholipase-C signaling pathway. P2Y6R is widely involved in a range of human diseases, including atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, gradually attracting attention owing to its inappropriate or excessive activation. In addition, it was reported that P2Y6R might regulate inflammatory responses by governing the maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Hence, several P2Y6R antagonists have been subjected to evaluation as new therapeutic strategies in recent years. This review was aimed at summarizing the role of P2Y6R in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, with an insight into the recent progress on discovery of P2Y6R antagonists.