AbstractNucleotides, e.g., adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP), can be released into the extracellular space under acute or chronic inflammatory conditions and have been shown to serve as potent immunomodulators or danger signals involved in the initiation and maintenance of immune responses. The cellular effects of nucleotides are mediated via purinergic P2X and P2Y receptor subtypes, which are broadly expressed on both inflammatory (e.g., eosinophils, dendritic cells, and monocytes) and lung structural cells. This review focuses on the role of P2Y receptors in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases, thereby showing that P2Y receptors mediate a variety of cellular responses, e.g., migration, cytokine secretion, or expression of cell surface molecules. In addition, several studies have provided evidence that P2Y receptors play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or acute lung injury. Hence, the development of P2YR‐targeted drugs might be a promising approach for the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2012, 1:755–762. doi: 10.1002/wmts.69For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.