Adenosine, acting at its receptors, particularly A2A receptors, is a potent endogenous anti-inflammatory agent that modulates the functions and differentiation of inflammatory and immune cells. Because the inflammatory milieu abounds in proinflammatory cytokines, we investigated the effects of Th1-inflammatory cytokines on function and expression of adenosine A2A receptors in the human monocytic cell line THP-1. We found that, consistent with previous reports, adenosine and 2-[p-(2-carnonylethyl)phenylethylamino]-5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680), a selective A2A receptor agonist, suppress IL-12 production but increase IL-10 production in LPS-activated THP-1 cells. These effects were blocked by the A2A receptor antagonist 4-{2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4-triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl}phenol (ZM-241385). More importantly, the suppressive effect of adenosine and CGS-21680 on IL-12 production was significantly enhanced in cells pretreated with either IL-1 (10 U/ml) or TNF-α (100 U/ml) but markedly attenuated in cells pretreated with IFN-γ (100 U/ml). Similarly, IL-1 and TNF-α treatment potentiated the stimulatory effect of adenosine and CGS-21680 on IL-10 production, whereas IFN-γ treatment almost completely abolished this effect. CGS-21680 stimulated an increase in intracellular cAMP in a time- and dose-dependent manner in IL-1- and TNF-α-treated cells but not in control or IFN-γ-treated cells. Both IL-1 and TNF-α increased A2A receptor mRNA and protein. In parallel with its effect on A2A receptor function, IFN-γ down-regulated A2A receptor message and protein. Because adenosine mediates many of the antiinflammatory effects of drugs such as methotrexate, these observations suggest that local changes in the cytokine milieu may influence the therapeutic response to those drugs by altering the expression and function of adenosine receptors on inflammatory cells.

Cholesterol is eliminated from neurons by oxidization, which generates oxysterols. Cholesterol oxidation is mediated by the enzymes cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) and cholesterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1). Immunocytochemical studies show that CYP46A1 and CYP27A1 are expressed in neurons and some astrocytes in the normal brain, and CYP27A1 is present in oligodendrocytes. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), CYP46A1 shows prominent expression in astrocytes and around amyloid plaques, whereas CYP27A1 expression decreases in neurons and is not apparent around amyloid plaques but increases in oligodendrocytes. Although previous studies have examined the effects of synthetic oxysterols on the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), the actions of the naturally occurring oxysterols have yet to be examined. To understand the role of cholesterol oxidation in AD, we compared the effects of 24(S)-and 27-hydroxycholesterol on the processing of APP and analyzed the cell-specific expression patterns of the two cholesterol hydroxylases in the human brain. Both oxysterols inhibited production of A␤ in neurons, but 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol was ϳ1000-fold more potent than 27-hydroxycholesterol. The IC 50 of 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol for inhibiting A␤ secretion was ϳ1 nM. Both oxysterols induced ABCA1 expression with IC 50 values similar to that for inhibition of A␤ secretion, suggesting the involvement of liver X receptor. Oxysterols also inhibited protein kinase C activity and APP secretion following stimulation of protein kinase C. The selective expression of CYP46A1 around neuritic plaques and the potent inhibition of APP processing in neurons by 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol suggests that CYP46A1 affects the pathophysiology of AD and provides insight into how polymorphisms in the CYP46A1 gene might influence the pathophysiology of this prevalent disease.

Adenosine is a potent endogenous regulator of inflammation and tissue repair. Adenosine, which is released from injured and hypoxic tissue or in response to toxins and medications, may induce pulmonary fibrosis in mice, presumably via interaction with a specific adenosine receptor. We therefore determined whether adenosine and its receptors contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. As in other tissues and cell types, adenosine is released in vitro in response to the fibrogenic stimuli ethanol (40 mg dl−1) and methotrexate (100 nM). Adenosine A2A receptors are expressed on rat and human hepatic stellate cell lines and adenosine A2A receptor occupancy promotes collagen production by these cells. Liver sections from mice treated with the hepatotoxins carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.05 ml in oil, 50 : 50 v : v, subcutaneously) and thioacetamide (100 mg kg−1 in PBS, intraperitoneally) released more adenosine than those from untreated mice when cultured ex vivo. Adenosine A2A receptor‐deficient, but not wild‐type or A3 receptor‐deficient, mice are protected from development of hepatic fibrosis following CCl4 or thioacetamide exposure. Similarly, caffeine (50 mg kg−1 day−1, po), a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, and ZM241385 (25 mg kg−1 bid), a more selective antagonist of the adenosine A2A receptor, diminished hepatic fibrosis in wild‐type mice exposed to either CCl4 or thioacetamide. These results demonstrate that hepatic adenosine A2A receptors play an active role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis, and suggest a novel therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of hepatic cirrhosis. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 1144–1155. doi:

A major feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is the plaque composed of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. Although these plaques may have harmful properties, there is much evidence to implicate soluble oligomeric Aβ as the primary noxious form. Aβ oligomers can be generated both extracellularly and intracellularly. Aβ is toxic to neurons in a myriad of ways. It can cause pore formation resulting in the leakage of ions, disruption of cellular calcium balance, and loss of membrane potential. It can promote apoptosis, cause synaptic loss, and disrupt the cytoskeleton. Current treatments for AD are limited and palliative. Much research and effort is being devoted to reducing Aβ production as an approach to slowing or preventing the development of AD. Aβ formation results from the amyloidogenic cleavage of human amyloid precursor protein (APP). Reconfiguring this process to disfavor amyloid generation might be possible through the reduction of APP or inhibition of enzymes that convert the precursor protein to amyloid.

.Conclusion. These results demonstrate that adenosine A 2A receptors play an active role in the pathogenesis of dermal fibrosis and suggest a novel therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of dermal fibrosis in diseases such as scleroderma.Adenosine, a product of ATP catabolism, is released from cells and tissues under conditions of stress or hypoxia and is a potent endogenous physiologic and pharmacologic mediator. Adenosine regulates cellular and organ function via interaction with a family of 4 G protein-coupled receptors, A 1 , A 2A , A 2B , and A 3.

In the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the specific amplification of a small segment of DNA within a complex DNA sample is effected by repeated cycles of DNA denaturation and enzymatic synthesis primed by two oligonucleotides complementary to regions within opposite strands of the DNA. In this report a simple and efficient method is described in which PCR methodology is used to introduce specific mutations into a double stranded DNA molecule. In this procedure a supercoiled plasmid DNA serves as template for a PCR in which a primer bearing the mutated sequence is incorporated into the amplified product. The presence of convenient restriction sites in the mutagenic primer and in the amplified DNA permit direct replacement of a wild type DNA segment with the mutated segment by treating the PCR mixture with the appropriate restriction endonucleases followed by DNA ligase. Using this procedure, a single amino acid replacement, a 16 amino acid deletion and a replacement of four amino acids with a twelve amino acid segment from another membrane protein were introduced into the amino terminal signal segment of rat hepatic cytochrome P450b (P450IIB1).

Results. MTX increased 27-hydroxylase message and completely blocked NS398-induced down-regulation of 27-hydroxylase (mean ؎ SEM 112.8 ؎ 13.1% for NS398 plus MTX versus 71.1 ؎ 4.3% for NS398 alone; P < 0.01). MTX also negated COX-2 inhibitor-mediated down-regulation of ABCA1. The ability of MTX to reverse inhibitory effects on 27-hydroxylase and ABCA1 was blocked by the adenosine A 2A receptor-specific antagonist ZM241385. MTX also prevented NS398 and IFN␥ from increasing transformation of lipid-laden THP-1 macrophages into foam cells.Conclusion. This study provides evidence supporting the notion of an atheroprotective effect of MTX. Through adenosine A 2A receptor activation, MTX promotes reverse cholesterol transport and limits foam cell formation in THP-1 macrophages. This is the first reported evidence that any commonly used medication can increase expression of antiatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport proteins and can counteract the effects of COX-2 inhibition. Our results suggest that one mechanism by which MTX protects against cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients is through facilitation of cholesterol outflow from cells of the artery wall.Methotrexate (MTX) has a long history of use in the treatment of various immunologic diseases, and has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoDr.

No abstract