Extracellular ATP and other nucleotides are important autocrine/paracrine mediators that
stimulate purinergic receptors and regulate diverse processes in the normal lungs. They are
also associated with pathogenesis of a number of respiratory diseases and clinical
complications including acute respiratory distress syndrome and ventilator induced lung
injury. Mechanical forces are major stimuli for cellular ATP release but precise mechanisms
responsible for this release are still debated. The present review intends to provide the …