A Novel Method for Screening Adenosine Receptor Specific Agonists for Use in Adenosine Drug Development.

Agonists that target the A1, A2A, A2B and A3 adenosine receptors have potential to be potent treatment options for a number of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Because each of these adenosine receptors plays a distinct role throughout the body, obtaining highly specific receptor agonists is essential. Of these receptors, the adenosine A2AR and A2BR share many sequence and structural similarities but highly differ in their responses to inflammatory stimuli. Our laboratory, using a combination of specially developed cell lines and calcium release analysis hardware, has created a new and faster method for determining specificity of synthetic adenosine agonist compounds for the A2A and A2B receptors in human cells. A2A receptor expression was effectively removed from K562 cells, resulting in the development of a distinct null line. Using HIV-lentivector and plasmid DNA transfection, we also developed A2A and A2B receptor over-expressing lines. As adenosine is known to cause changes in intracellular calcium levels upon addition to cell culture, calcium release can be determined in these cell lines upon compound addition, providing a functional readout of receptor activation and allowing us to isolate the most specific adenosine agonist compounds.

Expression of adenosine receptor subclasses in malignant and adjacent normal human prostate tissues.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine, a purine nucleoside plays important roles in the pathogenesis of cancer initiation and promotion via interaction with four adenosine receptors. In the present study we examined the differential expression pattern of adenosine receptors in the malignant and adjacent normal human prostate tissues. METHODS: Prostate cancer tissue samples and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 20 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and histopathological diagnosis was confirmed for each sample. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA and the mRNA expression levels of adenosine receptors were investigated by Taq-man real-time RT-PCR experiment. Quantitative protein analysis was done by Western blotting experiment. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of adenosine receptors were measured after androgen treatment. RESULT: Taq-man real-time RT-PCR measurements show different expression levels of adenosine receptor transcripts. A2B adenosine receptor was predominantly expressed in tumor tissues (2.4-fold) followed by significantly expression of A3 (1.6-fold) and A2A adenosine receptors (1.5-fold) compared to adjacent normal tissues. The presence of adenosine receptors at protein levels in prostate cancer tissues compared with normal tissues was shown the following rank order: A2B > A3 > A2A > A1 . Androgen receptor regulates adenosine receptors mRNA and protein expression in AR-positive LNCaP cells, which was not seen in AR-negative PC-3 cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicated for the first time, the differential mRNA expression profile and protein levels of adenosine receptors in the human prostate cancer. Interestingly, the A2B adenosine receptor followed by A3 is highly expressed in prostate tumor samples in comparison with the adjacent normal tissues. The findings support the possible key role of A2B adenosine receptor in promoting cancer cell growth and suggest that A2B may be a novel target for prostate cancer treatment.

[Roles of adenosine receptors in Alzheimer's disease].

As an important neurotransmitter, adenosine displays its functions by acting on the adenosine receptors. Recent studies have shown that the distribution, expression and balance among subtypes of adenosine receptors are closely related with cognitive activities, and changes of adenosine receptors play key roles in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. It has been pointed out that prolonged activation of adenosine receptors by high level adenosine may lead to the disturbance of balance among adenosine receptor subtypes. This imbalance mainly performed as increased expression of A2a receptor and decreased expression of A1 receptor, and enhancement of the excitatory signals mediated by A2a receptor and weakened inhibitory signals mediated by A1 receptor. Changes of these two subtypes of adenosine receptors may lead to a lot of disorders of neurological activities which developed into dysfunction of cognition to the end. These findings imply that the potential of maintaining the balance among adenosine receptors on the treatment of AD would facilitate both the revealing of the mechanism and the cure of AD.

Localization and function of adenosine receptor subtypes at the longitudinal muscle--myenteric plexus of the rat ileum.

Adenosine plays a dual role on acetylcholine (ACh) release from myenteric motoneurons via the activation of high-affinity inhibitory A1 and facilitatory A(2A) receptors. The therapeutic potential of adenosine-related compounds for controlling intestinal motility and inflammation, prompted us to investigate further the role of low-affinity adenosine receptors, A(2B) and A3, on electrically-evoked (5 Hz, 200 pulses) [³H]ACh release from myenteric neurons. Immunolocalization studies showed that A(2B) receptors exhibit a pattern of distribution similar to the glial cell marker, GFAP. Regarding A1 and A3 receptors, they are mainly distributed to cell bodies of ganglionic myenteric neurons, whereas A(2A) receptors are localized predominantly on cholinergic nerve terminals. Using selective antagonists (DPCPX, ZM241385 and MRS1191), data indicate that modulation of evoked [³H]ACh release is balanced through tonic activation of inhibitory (A1) and facilitatory (A(2A) and A3) receptors by endogenous adenosine. The selective A(2B) receptor antagonist, PSB603, alone was devoid of effect and failed to modify the inhibitory effect of NECA. The A3 receptor agonist, 2-Cl-IB MECA (1-10 nM), concentration-dependently increased the release of [³H]ACh. The effect of 2-Cl-IB MECA was attenuated by MRS1191 and by ZM241385, which selectively block respectively A3 and A(2A) receptors. In contrast to 2-Cl-IB MECA, activation of A(2A) receptors with CGS21680C attenuated nicotinic facilitation of ACh release induced by focal depolarization of myenteric nerve terminals in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Tandem localization of excitatory A3 and A(2A) receptors along myenteric neurons explains why stimulation of A3 receptors (with 2-Cl-IB MECA) on nerve cell bodies acts cooperatively with prejunctional facilitatory A(2A) receptors to up-regulate acetylcholine release. The results presented herein consolidate and expand the current understanding of adenosine receptor distribution and function in the myenteric plexus of the rat ileum, and should be taken into consideration for data interpretation regarding the pathophysiological implications of adenosine on intestinal motility disorders.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXXI. Nomenclature and classification of adenosine receptors--an update.

In the 10 years since our previous International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology report on the nomenclature and classification of adenosine receptors, no developments have led to major changes in the recommendations. However, there have been so many other developments that an update is needed. The fact that the structure of one of the adenosine receptors has recently been solved has already led to new ways of in silico screening of ligands. The evidence that adenosine receptors can form homo- and heteromultimers has accumulated, but the functional significance of such complexes remains unclear. The availability of mice with genetic modification of all the adenosine receptors has led to a clarification of the functional roles of adenosine, and to excellent means to study the specificity of drugs. There are also interesting associations between disease and structural variants in one or more of the adenosine receptors. Several new selective agonists and antagonists have become available. They provide improved possibilities for receptor classification. There are also developments hinting at the usefulness of allosteric modulators. Many drugs targeting adenosine receptors are in clinical trials, but the established therapeutic use is still very limited.

Roles of adenosine receptor subtypes on the antinociceptive effect of sildenafil in rat spinal cord.

We recently found that the antinociceptive effects produced by intrathecal administration of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, were reversed by a nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist, suggesting that adenosine receptors are involved in sildenafil-induced antinociception. Four adenosine receptor subtypes have been identified: A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3). We examined the involvement of spinal adenosine receptor subtypes in the antinociceptive effects of intrathecal sildenafil. Intrathecal catheters were implanted in male SD rats, and nociception was assessed using the formalin test, which consisted of a subcutaneous injection of 50 microl of 5% formalin solution into the hind paw. We examined the effects of an adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist (CPT), an adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist (CSC), an adenosine A(2B) receptor antagonist (alloxazine), and an adenosine A(3) receptor antagonist (MRS 1220) on sildenafil-induced antinociception. Intrathecal sildenafil suppressed formalin-induced flinching during phases 1 and 2 of the test in a dose-dependent manner. Intrathecal CPT, CSC, alloxazine, and MRS 1220 all suppressed the antinociceptive effects of sildenafil during both phases of the formalin test. These results suggest that sildenafil is an effective treatment for acute pain and the facilitated pain state at the spinal level. Additionally, spinal adenosine A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3) receptors may play a role in sildenafil-induced antinociception.

In silico directed chemical probing of the adenosine receptor family.

One of the grand challenges in chemical biology is identifying a small-molecule modulator for each individual function of all human proteins. Instead of targeting one protein at a time, an efficient approach to address this challenge is to target entire protein families by taking advantage of the relatively high levels of chemical promiscuity observed within certain boundaries of sequence phylogeny. We recently developed a computational approach to identifying the potential protein targets of compounds based on their similarity to known bioactive molecules for almost 700 targets. Here, we describe the direct identification of novel antagonists for all four adenosine receptor subtypes by applying our virtual profiling approach to a unique synthesis-driven chemical collection composed of 482 biologically-orphan molecules. These results illustrate the potential role of in silico target profiling to guide efficiently screening campaigns directed to discover new chemical probes for all members of a protein family.

Interactions between adenosine and dopamine receptor antagonists with different selectivity profiles: Effects on locomotor activity.

Forebrain dopamine (DA) is a critical component of the brain circuitry regulating behavioral activation. Adenosine A(2A) antagonists reverse many of the behavioral effects of DA antagonists, and A(2A) receptors are co-localized with D(2) receptors on striatal medium spiny neurons. The present work was undertaken to determine if the ability of an A(2A) antagonist, a non-selective adenosine antagonist, or an A(1) antagonist to reverse the locomotor effects of DA blockade in rats differed depending upon whether D(1) or D(2) family receptors were being antagonized. The adenosine antagonists MSX-3, caffeine, DPCPX and CPT were studied for their ability to reverse the locomotor suppression induced by the D(1) antagonist SCH 39166 (ecopipam) and the D(2) antagonist eticlopride. The D(1) and D(2) antagonists suppressed locomotion in all experiments. The adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist MSX-3 (0.5-2.0 mg/kg IP) significantly reversed the suppression of locomotion induced by eticlopride. The non-selective adenosine antagonist caffeine (5.0-20.0 mg/kg IP) also reversed the effect of eticlopride, though the effect was not as robust as that seen with MSX-3. The adenosine A(1) antagonists DPCPX (0.375-1.5 mg/kg) and CPT (3.0-12.0 mg/kg IP) were unable to reverse the locomotor impairment elicited by eticlopride. Furthermore, the attenuation of locomotion induced by the D(1) antagonist could only be reversed by the highest dose of MSX-3, but not by caffeine, DPCPX or CPT. DA and adenosine receptor antagonists interact in the regulation of locomotor activation, but the nature of this interaction appears to depend upon the receptor selectivity profiles of the specific drugs being tested.

Definition of the G protein-coupled receptor transmembrane bundle binding pocket and calculation of receptor similarities for drug design.

Recent advances in structural biology for G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have provided new opportunities to improve the definition of the transmembrane binding pocket. Here a reference set of 44 residue positions accessible for ligand binding was defined through detailed analysis of all currently available crystal structures. This was used to characterize pharmacological relationships of Family A/Rhodopsin family GPCRs, minimizing evolutionary influence from parts of the receptor that do not generally affect ligand binding. The resultant dendogram tended to group receptors according to endogenous ligand types, although it revealed subdivision of certain classes, notably peptide and lipid receptors. The transmembrane binding site reference set, particularly when coupled with a means of identifying the subset of ligand binding residues, provides a general paradigm for understanding the pharmacology/selectivity profile of ligands at Family A GPCRs. This has wide applicability to GPCR drug design problems across many disease areas.

Mechanisms of induction of adenosine receptor genes and its functional significance.

Adenosine is a metabolite generated and released from cells, particularly under injury or stress. It elicits protective or damaging responses via signaling through the adenosine receptors, including the adenylyl cyclase inhibitory A(1) and A(3), and the adenylyl cyclase stimulatory A(2A) and A(2B). Multiple adenosine receptor types, including stimulatory and inhibitory, can be found in the same cell, suggesting that a careful balance of adenosine receptor expression in a particular cell is necessary for a specific adenosine-induced response. This balance could be controlled by differential expression of the adenosine receptor genes under different stimuli. Here, we have reviewed an array of studies that have characterized basal or induced expression of the adenosine receptors and common as well as distinct mechanisms of effect, in hopes that ongoing studies on this topic will further elucidate detailed mechanisms of adenosine receptor regulation, leading to potential therapeutic applications.

Species comparison of adenosine receptor subtypes in brain and testis.

We aimed at comparing the binding characteristics of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors (A(1)Rs and A(2A)Rs) in high-expressing cerebral areas, the cortex and striatum respectively, of human, bovine and rat brain. Adenosine A(3) receptor (A(3)R) binding was studied in rat and bovine testis. Results confirmed species differences in AR saturation-displacement binding parameters. To investigate A(3)Rs in CNS, we carried out immunoblot in human brain, resolving two signals, a 52 KDa band with the highest density in hippocampus and a 48 KDa one, slightly more expressed in cortex. Subsequently, A(3)R binding was performed by [(125)I]-4-aminobenzyl-5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine ([(125)I]-AB-MECA) in human hippocampus, revealing an high affinity population of sites and another non saturable component. [(125)I]-AB-MECA first site displacement by N(6 )(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA) and 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopenthyl-xanthine (DPCPX) distinguished two affinity sites, being only in part identified as A(3)Rs. Therefore, A(3)Rs result clearly expressed by Western blot in human brain, but their full CNS characterization needs further investigation.

Inhibitory purinergic P2 receptor characterisation in rat distal colon.

The aim of this study was to characterise the P2 receptors involved in purinergic relaxant responses in rat distal colon circular muscle. Concentration-response curves for purinergic agonists were constructed on methacholine-precontracted circular muscle strips of rat distal colon in the absence and presence of the nerve blocker TTX and the ecto-nucleotidase inhibitor ARL67156. The effects of the P2 receptor antagonists RB2, PPADS, suramin, MRS2179 and NF279, the NO-synthase inhibitor L-NAME and the small conductance K(+) channel blocker apamin were investigated. The localisation of the different P2 receptors was examined immunocytochemically. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the expression of P2Y(1), P2Y(6) and P2X(1) receptors on smooth muscle cells and P2Y(2), P2Y(12), P2X(2) and P2X(3) receptors in the myenteric plexus; almost a quarter of the P2Y(2)-immunopositive neurons co-expressed nNOS. The P2X-selective agonist alphabetameATP and the P2Y-selective agonist ADPbetaS were the most potent relaxants; their effects were abolished by apamin. The effect of ADPbetaS was antagonised by the P2Y(1)-selective antagonist MRS2179 pointing to interaction with the muscular P2Y(1)-receptors. The relaxant effect of alphabetameATP was partially reduced by TTX and concentration-dependently antagonised by PPADS, suramin, RB2 and the P2X(1)-selective antagonist NF279; this correlates with an interaction with neuronal P2X(3) and muscular P2X(1) receptors. UTP was the least potent agonist; its effect was markedly increased by ARL67156, nearly abolished by TTX and reduced by L-NAME. This points to interaction with the neuronal P2Y(2)-receptors inducing relaxation, at least partially, by NO release.

Effects of adenosine on adhesion molecule expression and cytokine production in human PBMC depend on the receptor subtype activated.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Adenosine suppresses immune responses through adenosine(2A) (A(2A)) receptors, by raising intracellular cAMP. Interleukin (IL)-18 up-regulates the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on monocytes, leading to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We have previously demonstrated that elevation of cAMP inhibits this IL-18-induced expression of adhesion molecules. In the present study, we examined the effect of adenosine on the IL-18-induced up-regulation of ICAM-1 on human monocytes and production of IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by PBMC. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The expression of ICAM-1 was examined by flow cytometry. IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were determined by ELISA assay. KEY RESULTS: Adenosine inhibited the IL-18-induced up-regulation of ICAM-1 on human monocytes and it abolished the IL-18-enhanced production of IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. While an A(2A) receptor antagonist reversed the action of adenosine, an A(1) or A(3) receptor antagonist enhanced them. An A(2A) receptor agonist, CGS21680, mimicked the effects of adenosine and its effects were abolished not only by the A(2A) receptor antagonist but also by A(1) or A(3) receptor agonists. Activation via A(2A) receptors resulted in elevation of cAMP in monocytes, whereas the stimulation of A(1) or A(3) receptors inhibited it, suggesting that intracellular signal transduction following ligation of A(2A) receptors might be blocked by activation of A(1) or A(3) receptors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Adenosine differentially regulates IL-18-induced adhesion molecule expression and cytokine production through several subtypes of its receptors.

Role of adenosine receptor subtypes in rat jejunum in unfed state versus glucose-induced hyperemia.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine is a key mediator in intestinal absorptive hyperemia. This study examines the role of adenosine receptor subtypes in the intestinal microvasculature at rest (unfed) and during glucose exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intravital video microscopy was used to record vascular responses in the rat jejunum in unfed resting states versus active glucose absorption. Two series of experiments were performed: topical adenosine alone and with adenosine receptor antagonists, and topical glucose alone and with adenosine receptor antagonists. RESULTS: We found that distal premucosal arterioles were more reactive to adenosine than were larger inflow arterioles. The selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) (200 nm), and the A2b receptor antagonist, alloxazine (60 microm), decreased the sensitivity and reactivity of the inflow and premucosal arterioles to adenosine, whereas the selective A2a receptor antagonist 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC) (200 nm) had no effect on inflow arteriole diameter and only slightly reduced the premucosal arteriolar sensitivity to adenosine. As previously observed, isotonic glucose caused vasodilation (24 +/- 3.4% of the control) in the distal premucosal arterioles. Conversely, premucosal arterioles did not dilate during exposure of the intestine to isotonic mannitol solution that is not actively absorbed. Adenosine A2a RA CSC and A2b RA alloxazine attenuated glucose-induced vasodilation, whereas adenosine A1 RA DPCPX completely abolished glucose-induced dilation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that resting tone in premucosal vessels appears to be responsive to adenosine mediation rather than inflow arteriolar tone; the adenosine A1, A2a, and A2b receptors all contribute to adenosine-mediated vasodilation in the intestine, with the greatest attenuation seen with A1 receptor antagonism; and other vasoactive mediators might also contribute to glucose-induced jejunal vasodilation, and interaction might exist between adenosine receptors and other mediators.

Computer aided comparative analysis of the binding modes of the adenosine receptor agonists for all known subtypes of adenosine receptors.

Molecular models of all known subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) of the human adenosine receptors were built in homology with bovine rhodopsin. These models include the transmembrane domain as well as all extracellular and intracellular hydrophilic loops and terminal domains. The molecular docking of adenosine and 46 selected derivatives was performed for each receptor subtype. A binding mode common for all studied agonists was proposed, and possible explanations for differences in the ligand activities were suggested.

Potent adenosine A1 and A2A receptors antagonists: recent developments.

This review summarizes the current tendencies observed in the past 5 years in the development of A(1) and A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonists performed in various academia and industry. A(1) and A(2A) AR antagonists are as well xanthines as heteroaromatic derivatives and are most commonly 6:5 fused heteroatomic compounds. Among xanthine-based compounds, some common features could be pointed out. The recent A(1) AR ligands which show good biological profile, possess long alkyl chains in position 1 and 3 as well as bulky C(8)-substituent, while A(2A) AR antagonists with a high A(2A) AR affinity are C(8)-styryl substituted with N(1)-alkyl/alkynyl moiety or fused tricyclic xanthines possessing heteroatom(s) in the third cycle. The research in the field of heteroaromatic A(1) and A(2A) ARs antagonists impressively has a wide range. Ligands are as well non-fused monocyclic substituted compounds as fused bi- and tricyclic derivatives with the nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur heteroatoms. Most often, adenosine A(1) receptor non-xanthine antagonists are adenine-based, having substituted amino group and variable nitrogen atoms positions in the molecules. A(2A) AR ligands show good affinity when furanyl function, which is crucial for binding, is present in the fused bicyclic and tricyclic analogs. Moreover, tricyclic nitrogen containing antagonists in order to be active, frequently possess long-alkylphenyl moiety.

The effect of adenosine receptor agonists on cytokine release by human mononuclear cells depends on the specific Toll-like receptor subtype used for stimulation.

In the present study, we determined whether the immunomodulatory effect of adenosine receptor stimulation depends on the Toll-like Receptor (TLR) used for stimulation of cytokine release. Therefore, human mononuclear cells were stimulated by different TLR agonists in the absence and presence of A1 (CPA), A2a (CGS21680), and A3 (Cl-IB-MECA) adenosine receptor agonists. Effects of these agonists on Il-6, Il-10, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and Il-1beta production were expressed as percentage inhibition/stimulation after TLR stimulation. CGS21680 inhibited TLR4-mediated TNF-alpha release and potentiated TLR3- and TLR5-mediated IL-6 release. Cl-IB-MECA inhibited TLR4-agonist-induced IFN-gamma release. Interestingly, CPA en Cl-IB-MECA tended to inhibit cytokine release only after TLR4 stimulation. In more detail, CPA potentiated TLR5-mediated IL-6 production, TLR3-mediated IFN-gamma production and TLR3-mediated Il-1beta-production compared to TLR4-mediated stimulation. Cl-IB-MECA potentiated TLR5-mediated IL-6 and Il-1beta formation as compared to TLR4-mediated stimulation. Finally, CGS21680 potentiated TLR5-mediated IL-6 production compared to TLR1-2 stimulation, and potentiated TLR3- and TLR5-mediated IL-10 production compared to TLR1-2-mediated stimulation. In conclusion, the effect of adenosine agonists on cytokine production depends on the specific TLR agonist used for stimulation. These findings suggest that well-known anti-inflammatory effects of adenosine agonists on LPS-induced inflammation cannot be extrapolated to situations in which stimulation of other TLR subtypes is involved.

Roles of adenosine receptor subtypes in the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal adenosine in a rat formalin test.

The contributions of adenosine receptor subtypes to antinociception produced by adenosine were determined at the spinal level. There are 4 types of adenosine receptors, namely A1, A(2A), A(2B) and A3. The authors investigated the properties of the subtypes of spinal adenosine receptors in terms of nociceptive modulation. The nociceptive state was induced by subcutaneously injecting formalin solution (5%, 50 microl) into the hind paws of male Sprague-Dawley rats. After observing the effect of intrathecal adenosine during the formalin test, the effects of intrathecal adenosine A1 (CPT), A(2A) (CSC), A(2B) (alloxazine) and A3 (MRS 1220) receptor antagonists on the action of adenosine were examined. Intrathecal adenosine inhibited phase 2 flinching response without affecting phase 1 response. CPT, CSC, alloxazine and MRS 1220 antagonized the antinociceptive action of adenosine during phase 2 of the formalin test. These results suggest that spinal adenosine A1, A(2A), A(2B) and A3 receptors may play an important role in the antinociception of adenosine in the formalin-induced facilitated state.