Carbon Nanotubes: Crucial Role of P2X₇ Receptor in Regulating Exocytosis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Macrophages (Small 43/2016)

The exocytosis and underlying mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in macrophages is revealed by B. Wan, L.-H. Guo, and co-workers on page 5998. Exocytosis of SWCNTs is initiated by the activation of the P2X7 receptor, which accounts for the lysosomal secretion pathway as a potential mechanism for cells to repel SWCNTs. The cover image shows microtubules providing orbits for the exocytosis of SWCNTs-containing lysosomes.