Chao Ren,1– 4,* Jingjing Zhang,5,* Ting Yang,1– 3,* Yao Wang,1– 3 Xiaoyu Song,1– 3 Hanrui Wang,1– 3 Wanchen Liu,1– 3 Yakui Mou,1– 3 Xicheng Song1– 3 

1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, People’s Republic of China; 2Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, People’s Republic of China; 3Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Neuroimmune Interaction and Regulation, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Neurology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Nursing, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Xicheng Song; Yakui Mou, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, No. 20, East Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, 264000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86535 6691999, Fax +86535 6240341, Email drxchsong@163.com; muykmd@126.com

Abstract: The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), activated by ATP, participates in mediating a variety of biological processes such as the release of inflammatory factors, thereby affecting the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Despite its clinical significance, comprehensive bibliometric studies on P2X7R-related research remain scarce. To address this gap, we conducted a bibliometric investigation to quantify publication outputs, identify leading contributors, and map geographical distributions of P2X7R-related research, ultimately elucidating current research frontiers and emerging trends. Utilizing visualization techniques, complex bibliometric relationships were transformed into interpretable graphical representations. Our Web of Science query for “P2X7R” identified 4551 original research articles by 13,471 authors published since 1985. Publication volume demonstrated sustained growth, with China emerging as the predominant contributor in quantitative output (1871 articles) and the United States leading in international collaborations. Thematic mapping revealed two principal research areas: “P2X7R, inflammation, microglia” and “P2X7R, apoptosis, purinergic”. Notably, “P2X7R, P2 receptors, oxidative stress” encompassed both motor and niche themes, thus representing the trajectory of future development potential. Through bibliometric and visualization analysis, we found that the literature related to P2X7R is on the rise and will enter a new stage of interdisciplinary integration development in the future.

Keywords: P2X7 receptor, bibliometrix, VOSviewer, web of science