Complete release of adenosine deaminase from mouse lymphocytes stabilized by low-pH acetate

Adenosine down-regulates the surface expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV on HT-29 human colorectal carcinoma cells: implications for cancer cell behavior

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) is a multifunctional cell-surface protein that, as well as having dipeptidase activity, is the major binding protein for adenosine deaminase (ADA) and also binds extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin and collagen. It typically reduces the activity of chemokines and other peptide mediators as a result of its enzymatic activity. DPPIV is aberrantly expressed in many cancers, and decreased expression has been linked to increases in invasion and metastasis. We asked whether adenosine, a purine nucleoside that is present at increased levels in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, might affect the expression of DPPIV at the cell surface. Treatment with a single dose of adenosine produced an initial transient (1 to 4 hours) modest (approximately 10%) increase in DPPIV, followed by a more profound (approximately 40%) depression of DPPIV protein expression at the surface of HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells, with a maximal decline being reached after 48 hours, and persisting for at least a week with daily exposure to adenosine. This down-regulation ofDPPIV occurred at adenosine concentrations comparable to those present within the extracellular fluid of colorectal tumors growing in vivo, and was not elicited by inosine or guanosine. Neither cellular uptake of adenosine nor its phosphorylation was necessary for the down-regulation of DPPIV. The decrease in DPPIV protein at the cell surface was paralleled by decreases in DPPIV enzyme activity, binding of ADA, and the ability of the cells to bind to and migrate on cellular fibronectin. Adenosine, at concentrations that exist within solid tumors, therefore acts at the surface of colorectal carcinoma cells to decrease levels and activities of DPPIV. This down-regulation of DPPIV may increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to the tumor-promoting effects of adenosine and their response to chemokines and the extracellular matrix, facilitating their expansion and metastasis.

Enzymatic and extraenzymatic role of ecto-adenosine deaminase in lymphocytes

Adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) is an enzyme of the purine metabolism which has been the object of considerable interest mainly because the congenital defect causes severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). In the last 10 years, ADA, which was considered to be cytosolic, has been found on the cell surface of many cells and, therefore, it can be considered an ecto-enzyme. There is recent evidence about a specific role of ecto-ADA, which is different from that of intracellular ADA. Apart from degrading extracellular adenosine (Ado) or 2'-deoxyadenosine (dAdo), which are toxic for lymphocytes, ecto-ADA has an extraenzymatic function via its interaction with CD26. ADA/CD26 interaction results in co-stimulatory signals in T cells. This co-stimulation is blocked by HIV-1, thus evidencing a role for ecto-ADA in the pathophysiology of AIDS. The fact that, besides CD26, ADA can interact with different cell-surface proteins opens new perspectives in the research for a role of ecto-ADA in the function of the immune system and in the interactions that take place between different cells in the development of the immune system. The most interesting aspect is the possible participation of the ecto-enzyme in cell-to-cell contacts during ontogenesis and maturation of immunocompetent cells.

Cell surface adenosine deaminase: much more than an ectoenzyme

During the last 10 years, adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme considered to be cytosolic, has been found on the cell surface of many cells, therefore it can be considered an ectoenzyme. EctoADA, which seems to be identical to intracellular ADA and has a globular structure, does not interact with membranes but with membrane proteins. Two of these cell surface receptors for ectoADA have been identified: CD26 and A1 adenosine receptors (A1R). Apart from degradation of extracellular adenosine another functional role of ectoADA has been assigned. EctoADA is able to transmit signals when interacting with either CD26 or A1R. In this way, it acts as a co-stimulatory molecule which facilitates a variety of specific signalling events in different cell types. The heterogeneous distribution of the enzyme in the nervous system indicates that ectoADA may be a neuroregulatory molecule. On the other hand, ectoADA might act as a bridge between two different cells thus raising the possibility that it may be important for the development of the nervous system.

Depression of the immune responsiveness in mice treated with thioacetamide after antigen exposure

The effects of the weak carcinogen thioacetamide (TAA) on the mouse immune response have been investigated. TAA administration up to 1 day after antigen priming markedly suppressed the antibody response to both T-dependent (sheep erythrocytes) and T-independent (trinitrophenyl-Ficoll) antigens; the compound was ineffective when given 3 or 4 days after immunization. A significant suppression of the in vitro lymphoproliferative response to the B-cell mitogen S. aureus Cowan I was evident from 3 to 48 h after TAA treatment. On the other hand, cell-mediated immune response to oxazolone was suppressed by TAA at each time tested, including that of challenge. The in vitro lymphoproliferative response to concanavalin A was decreased 12 h after TAA administration only, when adenosine deaminase activity within lymphocytes was increased. Furthermore, TAA is endowed with anti-inflammatory activity, as shown by the decreased footpad swelling and by evaluation of the inflammatory cell infiltration upon carrageenan injection. Taken together, these findings suggest selective TAA interaction with multiple targets within the immune system, including B- and T-lymphocytes, while non-specific cytotoxicity can be reasonably ruled out, since hematological determinations and phenotypic analysis of spleen lymphocyte subsets showed no relevant changes.