Excitatory Action Of Adenosine Research Articles

Adenosine: roles of different receptor subtypes in mediating histamine release from human and rodent mast cells

Adenosine, an endogenous nucleoside, exertsmodulating effects in many cellular systems. Four distinct subtypes of adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B and A3) belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor family have been classified according to their ability to regulate adenylate cyclase activity [1]. Adenosine can provoke bronchoconstriction when inhaled by asthmatic individuals but not in normal subjects [2] indirectly through mast cells [3]. While a predominantly excitatory action of adenosine on mast cell activation was confirmed in rodents, less conclusive results were obtained in humans [4, 5]. The aim of our study is to compare the effects of adenosine and adenosine receptor agonists on basal and anti-IgE induced histamine release from rat and human mast cells.

Adenosine stimulates depolarization and rise in cytoplasmic [Ca2+] in type I cells of rat carotid bodies

During hypoxia, the level of adenosine in the carotid bodies increases as a result of ATP catabolism and adenosine efflux via adenosine transporters. Using Ca2+ imaging, we found that adenosine, acting via A2A receptors, triggered a rise in cytoplasmic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in type I (glomus) cells of rat carotid bodies. The adenosine response could be mimicked by forskolin (but not its inactive analog), and could be abolished by the PKA inhibitor H89. Simultaneous measurements of membrane potential (perforated patch recording) and [Ca2+]i showed that the adenosine-mediated [Ca2+]i rise was accompanied by depolarization. Ni2+, a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) blocker, abolished the adenosine-mediated [Ca2+]i rise. Although adenosine was reported to inhibit a 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive K+ current, 4-AP failed to trigger any [Ca2+]i rise, or to attenuate the adenosine response. In contrast, anandamide, an inhibitor of the TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+-1 (TASK-1) channels, triggered depolarization and [Ca2+]i rise. The adenosine response was attenuated by anandamide but not by tetraethylammonium. Our results suggest that adenosine, acting via the adenylate cyclase and PKA pathways, inhibits the TASK-1 K+ channels. This leads to depolarization and activation of Ca2+ entry via VGCC. This excitatory action of adenosine on type I cells may contribute to the chemosensitivity of the carotid body during hypoxia.

Suppression of presynaptic responses to adenosine by activation of NMDA receptors

The interactions between adenosine and NMDA receptors has been investigated using the paired-pulse paradigm in hippocampal slices. This technique allows the study of drug effects specifically at presynaptic terminals. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on population spikes, and the decrease of paired-pulse inhibition assessed using either population spikes or population excitatory postsynaptic potentials, were suppressed by performing the experiments in magnesium-free medium, or by superfusion of the slices with N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) at a concentration (4 μM) which did not itself affect potential size. The suppressant effect of NMDA was prevented by 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid. All these interactions were still seen in the presence of bicuculline methobromide, 30 μM. Neither α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) nor kainate produced a suppression of adenosine responses. The presence of NMDA did not modify the effects of baclofen on population potentials or paired-pulse inhibition. Activating NMDA receptors by the induction of long-term potentiation or by superfusion with glycine also reduced significantly the effects of adenosine on population spikes and paired-pulse interactions. Increasing population potential size by a mechanism which did not involve the activation of NMDA receptors (increasing stimulus strength) did not change sensitivity to adenosine. When adenosine receptor-selective agonists were tested, it was found that NMDA did not modify the inhibitory effect of the adenosine A 1 receptor agonist N 6-cyclopentyladenosine, but did enhance the excitatory effect of the adenosine A 2A receptor agonist 2-[ p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino]-5′- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680). The combined response to NMDA and CGS21680 was prevented by the adenosine A 2A receptor selective antagonist 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM241385). It is concluded that NMDA receptor activation can suppress neuronal sensitivity to adenosine by acting at presynaptic sites, and that this interaction results from an increase in the excitatory action of adenosine A 2A receptors, rather than a depression of A 1 receptor function.

Presynaptic action of adenosine on a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive current in the rat carotid body.

1. Plasma adenosine concentration increases during hypoxia to a level that excites carotid body chemoreceptors by an undetermined mechanism. We have examined this further by determining the electrophysiological responses to exogenous adenosine of sinus nerve chemoafferents in vitro and of whole-cell currents in isolated type I cells. 2. Steady-state, single-fibre chemoafferent discharge was increased approximately 5-fold above basal levels by 100 microM adenosine. This adenosine-stimulated discharge was reversibly and increasingly reduced by methoxyverapamil (D600, 100 microM), by application of nickel chloride (Ni2+, 2 mM) and by removal of extracellular Ca2+. These effects strongly suggest a presynaptic, excitatory action of adenosine on type I cells of the carotid body. 3. Adenosine decreased whole-cell outward currents at membrane potentials above -40 mV in isolated type I cells recorded during superfusion with bicarbonate-buffered saline solution at 34-36 C. This effect was reversible and concentration dependent with a maximal effect at 10 microM. 4. The degree of current inhibition induced by 10 microM adenosine was voltage independent (45.39 +/- 2. 55 % (mean +/- s.e.m.) between -40 and +30 mV) and largely ( approximately 75 %), but not entirely, Ca2+ independent. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP, 5 mM) decreased the amplitude of the control outward current by 80.60 +/- 3.67 % and abolished the effect of adenosine. 5. Adenosine was without effect upon currents near the resting membrane potential of approximately -55 mV and did not induce depolarization in current-clamp experiments. 6. We conclude that adenosine acts to inhibit a 4-AP-sensitive current in isolated type I cells of the rat carotid body and suggest that this mechanism contributes to the chemoexcitatory effect of adenosine in the whole carotid body.

Characterization of the receptor mediating the excitatory action of adenosine on mesenteric afferents in the anaesthetised rat

Characterization of the receptor mediating the excitatory action of adenosine on mesenteric afferents in the anaesthetised rat

On the Adenosine Receptor Involved in the Excitatory Action of Adenosine on Respiration: Antagonist Profile

Abstract The use of xanthines to characterize the adenosine receptor involved in excitation of respiration revealed that XCC, PD 115, 199 and XAC have much higher affinities than DPCPX followed by PACPX, DPX and 8-PT, which is compatible with an A2 type of adenosine receptor.