Adenosine receptor activation augments IL-10 production by murine microglial cells (116.31)

Abstract

Abstract Microglia, the intrinsic macrophages of the central nervous system produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 following activation with the bacterial cell wall product peptidoglycan (PGN), which is recognized by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside that binds to specific G protein-coupled receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3), and is a well known modulator of the immune system. In this study we investigated the effect of adenosine on IL-10 production by microglia. Cells were treated with adenosine, or selective adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists, in conjunction with 20 μg/ml PGN for 6 or 24 hours. Adenosine treatment augmented IL-10 production by microglia activated with PGN. The non-selective adenosine receptor agonist NECA was the most potent IL-10 inducer, and its effect was prevented by pretreatment with the A2B antagonist MRS-1754. Adenosine receptor activation augmented IL-10 mRNA levels, and this effect was prevented by blocking transcription with actinomycin D. The stimulatory effect of adenosine on IL-10 production was mediated by p38 because it was reversed with a p38 pathway inhibitor. IL-10 promoter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) experiments suggested that CREB activation is necessary for the effect of adenosine. These results demonstrate that A2B adenosine receptor activation augments IL-10 production by PGN-activated microglial cells through a p38- and CREB-mediated pre-transcriptional mechanism.