Abstract: Objective To study the diagnostic value of P2X7 receptor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its role in the inflammatory response. Methods With the synovial tissues from 25 patients with bone and joint replacement as the control, the synovial tissues of 25 RA patients were examined for the relative expression of P2X7 receptor mRNA using qRT-PCR. In an immortalized RA synovial cell line (MH7A), the effect of P2X7 receptor knockdown via a small interfering RNA were examined on the productions of the inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-8 using ELISA. Results The RA patients showed significantly higher levels of P2X7 receptor mRNA expression in the synovial tissue than the control patients. P2X7 receptor had a good diagnostic value for RA. The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were positively correlated with the levels of P2X7 receptor in the synovial tissues of RA patients (P<0.001). In MH7A cells, P2X7 receptor knockdown obviously reduced the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6. Conclusion RA patients show elevated P2X7 receptor level in the synovial tissue, which has a good diagnostic value for RA. Blocking P2X7 receptor can inhibit inflammatory factor secretion and suppress inflammatory reactions.