AIM To determine if activation of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor channel induces phosphatidylserine(PS)exposure in erythrocytes from multiple dog breeds.METHODS Peripheral blood was collected from 25 dogs representing 13 pedigrees and seven crossbreeds.ATP-induced PS exposure on canine erythrocytes in vitro was assessed using a flow cytometric Annexin V binding assay.RESULTS ATP induced PS exposure in erythrocytes from all dogs studied.ATP caused PS exposure in a concentrationdependent manner with an EC50 value of 395μmol/L.The non-P2X7 agonists,ADP or AMP,did not cause PS exposure.The P2X7 antagonist,AZ10606120,but not the P2X1 antagonist,NF449,blocked ATP-induced PS exposure.CONCLUSION The results indicate that ATP induces PS exposure in erythrocytes from various dog breeds and that this process is mediated by P2X7 activation.