Adenosine affects expression of membrane molecules, cytokine and chemokine release, and the T-cell stimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells

Adenosine A2A receptor inactivation increases survival in polymicrobial sepsis

The mechanisms governing the impairment of bacterial clearance and immune function in sepsis are not known. Adenosine levels are elevated during tissue hypoxia and damage associated with sepsis. Adenosine has strong immunosuppressive effects, many of which are mediated by A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) expressed on immune cells. We examined whether A(2A)R are involved in the regulation of immune function in cecal ligation and puncture-induced murine polymicrobial sepsis by genetically or pharmacologically inactivating A(2A)R. A(2A)R knockout (KO) mice were protected from the lethal effect of sepsis and had improved bacterial clearance compared with wild-type animals. cDNA microarray analysis and flow cytometry revealed increased MHC II expression in A(2A)-inactivated mice, suggesting improved Ag presentation as a mechanism of protection. Apoptosis was attenuated in the spleen of A(2A) KO mice indicating preserved lymphocyte function. Levels of the immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10 and IL-6 were markedly lower following A(2A)R blockade. Similar to observations with A(2A)R KO mice, an A(2A)R antagonist increased survival even when administered in a delayed fashion. These studies demonstrate that A(2A)R blockade may be useful in the treatment of infection and sepsis.

The Effect of A2A Adenosine Receptor Agonist on Composite Tissue Allotransplant Survival: An In Vivo Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND

In vitro experimental studies showed that A2a receptor agonists reduce allostimulatory functions of the dendritic cells through modulation of surface expression of the costimulatory molecules and down-regulation of cytokines. Similar suppressive effects on dendritic cells have also been observed with Cyclosporine A (CsA). In this study we sought to explore if combined use of these two drugs in vivo could prolong the survival of composite tissue allografts across MHC barriers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 24 hindlimb transplantations were performed across a major MHC barrier from Brown Norway rats (BN; RT1n) to Lewis rats (Lew; RT1l) In the control group, either isografts (group 1, n = 2) or allografts (group 2, n = 3) were performed and no treatment was given. In the experimental group three kinds of treatment protocols were used: (1) A2a adenosine receptor agonist alone (group 3, n = 6); (2) CsA alone (group 4, n = 7); and (3) A2a adenosine receptor agonist + CsA combined treatment (group 5, n = 6). Mean survival times of each group as well as cytokine levels including IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, INF-gamma, and TNF-alpha were analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Isografts survived indefinitely. The mean survival times for allograft groups (group 2 to 5) were 9.8 +/- 1.3, 10.5 +/- 1.0, 29.8 +/- 1.7, and 22 +/- 1.4 days, respectively. Statistically, there was no difference between the allograft control group and the A2a adenosine receptor agonist treated group (P = 0.35). However, survival of the allografts in the CsA-treated group was significantly higher than the A2a adenosine receptor agonist treated (P < 00001) and combined CsA + A2a adenosine receptor agonist treated group (P < 0.0001). In vivo A2a adenosine receptor agonist treatment alone increased the levels of IL-2, INF-gamma, and TNF-alpha, which are important cytokines for induction of allotransplant rejection. However A2a adenosine receptor agonist in combination with CsA significantly reduced the levels of suppressor cytokines IL-4 and IL-10.

CONCLUSION

As opposed to the previous in vitro studies, the results from this in vivo study showed that A2a adenosine receptor agonist treatment does not prolong composite tissue allograft survival. Compared to CsA treatment alone, the allotransplant survival was even shorter with the combined treatment. Treatment with A2a adenosine receptor agonist possibly promotes the differentiation of alloreactive CD4 cells predominantly into T-helper 1 phenotype. As a result, the levels of stimulatory cytokines contributing to allograft rejection are increased and suppressor cytokines are reduced, leading to accelerated allograft rejection.

Regulation of immune cells by local-tissue oxygen tension: HIF1 alpha and adenosine receptors

Immune cells are often exposed to low oxygen tensions, which markedly affect cellular metabolism. We describe how activated T cells adapt to the changing energy supplies in hypoxic areas of inflamed tissues by using hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) to switch to glycolysis as the main source of energy and by signalling through extracellular-adenosine receptors. This hypoxic regulation might alter the balance between T helper 1 cells and T helper 2 cells and might alter the activities of cells of the innate immune system, thereby qualitatively and quantitatively affecting immune responses. This regulatory mechanism should be taken into account in the design and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo studies of immune-cell effector functions.

The 'danger' sensors that STOP the immune response: the A2 adenosine receptors?

Immune cells not only destroy pathogens but might also cause collateral injuries to normal tissues. The surprisingly low incidence of post-inflammatory complications is explained here by a 'danger-sensing' physiological mechanism that ensures the tissue-protecting negative feedback inhibition of overactive immune cells. We focus here on immunoregulatory influences of 'non-immune' signaling molecules in physiological and pathophysiological tissue microenvironments. We propose that hypoxia-associated accumulation of extracellular adenosine might be an important immunoregulatory signal. A2 receptors for extracellular adenosine might act as both primary sensors of excessive collateral tissue damage during an immune response and triggers of the emergency downregulation of overactive immune cells. Regulation by extracellular adenosine would protect normal organs from injury and/or re-direct immune responses.

CD26, adenosine deaminase, and adenosine receptors mediate costimulatory signals in the immunological synapse

Adenosine deaminase (ADA), a protein whose deficit leads to severe combined immunodeficiency, binds to the cell surface by means of either CD26, A(1) adenosine receptors, or A(2B) adenosine receptors. The physiological role of these interactions is not well understood. Our results show that by a 3-fold reduction in the EC(50) for the antigen, ADA potentiated T cell proliferation in autologous cocultures with antigen-pulsed immature or mature dendritic cells. Costimulation was not due to the enzymatic activity but to the interaction of ADA-CD26 complexes in T cells with an ADA-anchoring protein in dendritic cells. From colocalization studies, it is deduced that ADA colocalizing with adenosine receptors on dendritic cells interact with CD26 expressed on lymphocytes. This costimulatory signal in the immunological synapse leads to a marked increase (3- to 34-fold) in the production of the T helper 1 and proimmflamatory cytokines IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-6.

The serotoninergic receptors of human dendritic cells: identification and coupling to cytokine release

The neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), commonly known as serotonin, is stored at peripheral sites in mast cells and released from this peripheral source upon IgE cross-linking. In this study, we investigated the expression of serotoninergic receptors (5-HTR), the signaling pathway, and biological activity of 5-HT on human dendritic cells (DC), showing that immature and mature DC expressed mRNA for different serotoninergic receptors. Thereby, the mRNA of 5-HTR(1B), 5-HTR(1E), 5-HTR(2A), 5-HTR(2B), one splicing variant of the 5-HTR(3), 5-HTR(4), and 5-HTR(7) receptors were detected. Immature DC preferentially expressed mRNA for the heptahelical 5-HTR(1B), 5-HTR(1E), and 5-HTR(2B) receptors, while mature DC mostly expressed 5-HTR(4) and 5-HTR(7). The mRNA expression level of the ligand-gated cation channel 5-HTR(3) and the heptahelical 5-HTR(2A) did not significantly change during maturation. Isotype-selective receptor agonists allowed us to show that 5-HT stimulated 5-HTR(3)-dependent Ca(2+) influx in immature and mature DC. Moreover, we revealed that 5-HTR(1) and 5-HTR(2) receptor stimulation induced intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization via G(i/o) proteins in immature, but not mature, DC. Activation of 5-HTR(4) and 5-HTR(7) induced cAMP elevation in mature DC. Functional studies indicated that activation of 5-HTR(4) and 5-HTR(7) enhanced the release of the cytokines IL-1beta and IL-8, while reducing the secretion of IL-12 and TNF-alpha in mature DC. In summary, our study shows that 5-HT stimulated, in a maturation-dependent manner, different signaling pathways in DC. These data point to a role for 5-HT in regulating the immune response at peripheral sites.

A nucleotidase with unique catalytic properties is secreted by Trichinella spiralis

We have isolated and expressed a cDNA from the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis encoding a novel secreted nucleotidase which catalyses the hydrolysis of nucleoside 5'-diphosphates and 5'-monophosphates, but not 5'-triphosphates. The full length cDNA encodes a protein of 550 amino acids with an N-terminal signal peptide, but lacking a C-terminal signature sequence for addition of a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Expression in Pichia pastoris resulted in the secretion of an active enzyme with the catalytic properties of both a Mg2+-dependent diphosphohydrolase/apyrase and a 5'-nucleotidase. The protein sequence is homologous to 5'-nucleotidases from a wide variety of organisms but contains no sequences specifically conserved in apyrases, suggesting that it is a representative of a new class of secreted nucleotidase. The enzyme was essentially monospecific for AMP among the nucleoside 5'-monophosphates and catalysed the hydrolysis of nucleoside 5'-diphosphates in the order of UDP >> ADP. The diphosphatase activity was dependent on the presence of magnesium ions and a reducing agent, while the 5'-nucleotidase activity was enhanced by these additions. Kinetic analyses indicated that the enzyme exhibits allosteric behaviour. Determination of the number of active sites suggested that catalysis of the two different reactions occurs at the same active site. The data are discussed in terms of regulation of host purinergic signalling during infection.

PhysiologicalControl ofImmuneResponse andInflammatoryTissueDamage byHypoxia-InducibleFactors andAdenosineA2AReceptors

Immune cell-mediated destruction of pathogens may result in excessive collateral damage to normal tissues, and the failure to control activated immune cells may cause immunopathologies. The search for physiological mechanisms that downregulate activated immune cells has revealed a critical role for extracellular adenosine and for immunosuppressive A2A adenosine receptors in protecting tissue from inflammatory damage. Tissue damage-associated deep hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factors, and hypoxia-induced accumulation of adenosine may represent one of the most fundamental and immediate tissue-protecting mechanisms, with adenosine A2A receptors triggering "OFF" signals in activated immune cells. In these regulatory mechanisms, oxygen deprivation and extracellular adenosine accumulation serve as "reporters," while A2A adenosine receptors serve as "sensors" of excessive tissue damage. The A2A receptor-triggered generation of intracellular cAMP then inhibits activated immune cells in a delayed negative feedback manner to prevent additional tissue damage. Targeting A2A adenosine receptors may have important clinical applications.

Inosine stimulates chemotaxis, Ca2+-transients and actin polymerization in immature human dendritic cells via a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism independent of adenosine receptors

Inosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside, which is formed by adenosine deaminidase during adenosine breakdown and is released into the extracellular space from the sympathetic nervous system or injured cells. Here, we studied the biological activity of inosine on human dendritic cells (DC), which are specialized antigen presenting cells characterized by their ability to migrate from the blood to peripheral tissues, and then to secondary lymphoid organs where they initiate adaptive immune responses. In immature DC, inosine concentration-dependently stimulated Ca(2+)-transients, actin polymerization, and chemotaxis. Experiments with adenosine receptor antagonists and pertussis toxin (PTX) as well as desensitization studies suggested that the activity of inosine was mediated by a G protein-coupled receptor pathway independent of adenosine receptors. DC, induced to mature by lipopolysaccharide, lost their ability to respond towards inosine with these activities. Moreover, inosine did neither influence membrane expression of CD54, CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DR, and MHC class I molecules nor modulated secretion of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in immature and lipopolysaccharide-matured DC. In aggregate, our study indicates that inosine may be involved in the trafficking control system of immature DC, and mediates its chemotactic activity by a PTX-sensitive mechanism independent of adenosine receptors.

Role of adenosine receptors in regulating chemotaxis and cytokine production of plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are potent regulators of immune function and the major source of type I interferon (IFN) following viral infection. PDCs are found at sites of inflammation in allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders, and cancer, but the mechanisms leading to the recruitment of PDCs to these sites remain elusive. During inflammation, adenosine is released and functions as a signaling molecule via adenosine receptors. This study analyzes adenosine receptor expression and function in human PDCs. Adenosine was found to be a potent chemotactic stimulus for immature PDCs via an A(1) receptor-mediated mechanism. The migratory response toward adenosine was comparable to that seen with CXCL12 (stromal-derived factor-1 alpha [SDF-1 alpha), the most potent chemotactic stimulus identified thus far for immature PDCs. Upon maturation, PDCs down-regulate the A(1) receptor, resulting in a loss of migratory function. In contrast, mature PDCs up-regulate the A(2a) receptor, which is positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase and has been implicated in the down-regulation of DC cytokine-producing capacity. We show that in mature PDCs adenosine reduces interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12, and IFN-alpha production in response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). These findings indicate that adenosine may play a dual role in PDC-mediated immunity by initially recruiting immature PDCs to sites of inflammation and by subsequently limiting the extent of the inflammatory response induced by mature PDCs by inhibiting their cytokine-producing capacity.

Functional expression of adenosine A2A and A3 receptors in the mouse dendritic cell line XS-106

There is increasing evidence to suggest that adenosine receptors can modulate the function of cells involved in the immune system. For example, human dendritic cells derived from blood monocytes have recently been described to express functional adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptors. Therefore, in the present study, we have investigated whether the recently established murine dendritic cell line XS-106 expresses functional adenosine receptors. The selective adenosine A3 receptor agonist 1-[2-chloro-6[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamide (2-Cl-IB-MECA) inhibited forskolin-mediated [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation and stimulated concentration-dependent increases in p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. The selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist 4-[2-[[-6-amino-9-(N-ethyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamidosyl)-9H-purin-2-yl]amino]ethyl]benzene-propanoic acid (CGS 21680) stimulated a robust increase in [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation. In contrast, the selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist CPA (N6-cyclopentyladenosine) did not inhibit forskolin-mediated [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation or stimulate increases in p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation. These observations suggest that XS-106 cells express functional adenosine A2A and A3 receptors. The non-selective adenosine receptor agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release from XS-106 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. Furthermore, treatment with Cl-IB-MECA (1 microM) or CGS 21680 (1 microM) alone produced a partial inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha release (when compared to NECA), whereas a combination of both agonists resulted in the inhibition of TNF-alpha release comparable to that observed with NECA alone. Treatment of cells with the adenosine A2A receptor selective antagonists 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385; 100 nM) and 5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-7-phenylethyl-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5c]pyrimidine (SCH 58261; 100 nM) and the adenosine A3 receptor selective antagonist N-[9-chloro-2-(2-furanyl)[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]quinazolin-5-benzeneacetamide (MRS 1220; 100 nM) partially blocked the inhibitory effects of NECA on lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha release. Combined addition of MRS 1220 and SCH 58261 completely blocked the inhibitory effects of NECA on lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha release. In conclusion, we have shown that the mouse dendritic cell line XS-106 expresses functional adenosine A2A and A3 receptors, which are capable of modulating TNF-alpha release.