P2RX7 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: It is interesting to note a recent study demonstrating that fibroblasts from type-2 diabetes patients are characterized by a hyperactive purinergic loop based either on a higher level of ATP release or an enhanced P2X7 receptor reactivity, together with an increased pericellular concentration of ATP, and a higher basal level of fibronectin secretion and spontaneous rate of apoptosis at least in part dependent on autocrine stimulation of P2X7 receptors by secreted ATP [133] (Figure 5(b)).