A-438079 HCl is a selective antagonist of the P2X7 receptor, a subtype of ATP-gated ion channels involved in inflammatory responses. It is primarily used in research settings to study the role of P2X7 receptors in neuroinflammation, pain signaling, and immune cell activation. Due to its ability to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, it has been investigated in models of chronic pain, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, and autoimmune conditions. Its selectivity makes it a valuable tool for probing P2X7-mediated pathways without significant off-target effects on other purinergic receptors. A-438079 HCl is commonly applied in in vitro and in vivo studies to assess the therapeutic potential of blocking P2X7 signaling in inflammation and tissue damage.