A3 adenosine receptors in human astrocytoma cells: agonist-mediated desensitization, internalization, and down-regulation

The Anti-Cancer Effect of A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonists: A Novel, Targeted Therapy

The A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) is highly expressed in various human solid tumor cells whereas low expression is found in the adjacent normal tissues. Activation of the A3AR with synthetic highly selective agonists, such as IB-MECA, Cl-IB-MECA or LJ529, induces tumor growth inhibition of melanoma, lymphoma, breast, hepatoma, prostate and colon carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Two molecular events take place upon receptor activation and include: a. receptor internalization and subsequent degradation, followed by decreased receptor mRNA and protein expression level. b. modulation of down-stream signal transduction pathways, including those related to Wnt and NF-κB. Subsequently, the levels of cyclin D1 and c-Myc are decreased leading to tumor growth inhibition. IB-MECA synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents to yield an additive anti-tumor effect and protects against myelotoxicity induced by chemotherapy. Taken together, A3AR agonists may be suggested as a new family of orally bioavailable compounds to be developed as potent inhibitors of malignant diseases.

Adenosine receptors in colon carcinoma tissues and colon tumoral cell lines: focus on the A(3) adenosine subtype

Adenosine may affect several pathophysiological processes, including cellular proliferation, through interaction with A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3) receptors. In this study we characterized adenosine receptors in human colon cancer tissues and in colon cancer cell lines Caco2, DLD1, HT29. mRNA of all adenosine subtypes was detected in cancer tissues and cell lines. At a protein levels low amount of A(1), A(2A), and A(2B) receptors were detected, whilst the A(3) was the most abundant subtype in both cancer tissues and cells, with a pharmacological profile typical of the A(3) subtype. All the receptors were coupled to stimulation/inhibition of adenylyl-cyclase in cancer cells, with the exception of A(1) subtype. Adenosine increased cell proliferation with an EC(50) of 3-12 microM in cancer cells. This effect was not essentially reduced by adenosine receptor antagonists. However dypiridamol, an adenosine transport inhibitor, increased the stimulatory effect induced by adenosine, suggesting an action at the cell surface. Addition of adenosine deaminase makes the A(3) agonist 2-chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-N-methyl-5'-carbamoyladenosine (Cl-IB-MECA) able to stimulate cell proliferation with an EC(50) of 0.5-0.9 nM in cancer cells, suggesting a tonic proliferative effect induced by endogenous adenosine. This effect was antagonized by 5-N-(4-methoxyphenyl-carbamoyl)amino-8-propyl-2(2furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3e]-1,2,4-triazolo [1,5-c] pyrimidine (MRE 3008F20) 10 nM. Cl-IB-MECA-stimulated cell proliferation involved extracellular-signal-regulated-kinases (ERK1/2) pathway, as demonstrated by reduction of proliferation with 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis-[2-amino-phenylthio]-butadiene (U0126) and by ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In conclusion this study indicates for the first time that in colon cancer cell lines endogenous adenosine, through the interaction with A(3) receptors, mediates a tonic proliferative effect.

Mitochondrial localization of P2Y1, P2Y2 and P2Y12 receptors in rat astrocytes and glioma C6 cells

We have previously shown that P2Y1, P2Y2 and P2Y12 nucleotide receptors are functionally expressed and active on the cell surface of rat glioma C6 cells. In the present study, we have immunocytochemically shown their sub-cellular colocalization with mitochondria in these cells. The same colocalization of above receptors has been found in rat astrocytes. Additionally, differences in intracellular distribution of examined receptors between both cell lines have been observed. This data indicates that P2Y1, P2Y2 and P2Y12 receptor proteins exist within mitochondria of astrocytes and C6 cells, although their role in these sub-cellular structures remains unclear.

Effects of adenosine A3 receptor agonist on bone marrow granulocytic system in 5-fluorouracil-treated mice

The purpose of the experiments reported was to investigate effects of N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA), a selective adenosine A(3) receptor agonist, on the granulocytic system in femoral marrow of mice depleted by the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil. In the phase of the highest cell depletion IB-MECA was injected i.p. at single doses of 200 nmol/kg given either once or twice daily in 2- and 4-day regimens starting on day 1 after 5-fluorouracil administration; the effects were evaluated on days 3 and 5, respectively. The general effect of IB-MECA in all these experiments was an enhancement of the counts of morphologically recognizable proliferative granulocytic cells, interpreted as evidence of the differentiation of committed progenitor cells. A more expressive effect was observed after IB-MECA injected twice daily. It was found that the induction of the strong differentiation pressures by IB-MECA given twice daily shortly after 5-fluorouracil treatment can be counterproductive due to the preponderance of differentiaton processes over the proliferation control. In additional experiments, it has been shown that the use of the 2-day administration of IB-MECA given twice daily in the recovery phase, i.e., on days 5 and 6 after 5-fluorouracil administration, does not induce stimulatory effects. Thus, the dosing and timing of IB-MECA treatment determines its effectivity in stimulating granulopoiesis under conditions of myelosuppression.

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor: characterization in human T-lymphoma Jurkat cells

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) has been considered a promising drug target for cancer therapy, and several ligands have been developed for this purpose. Human T-lymphoma Jurkat cells have been considered as lacking PBR and are often used as negative control to prove the specificity of PBR ligands effects. It is surprising that we evidenced PBR protein expression in this cell line by means of Western blotting and immunocytochemistry assays using specific anti-PBR antibodies. PBR intracellular localization was evidenced in mitochondria and nuclei, as demonstrated by confocal and electron microscopy. The binding of the [(3)H]4'-chloro derivative of diazepam [(3)H]7-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (Ro5-4864) and the isoquinoline carboxamide derivative [(3)H]1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3 isoquinolinecarboxamide (PK11195) evidenced a single class of binding sites with an unusual affinity constant (K(d)) of 1.77 +/- 0.30 and 2.20 +/- 0.20 microM, respectively. The pharmacological profile of the classic ligands showed that PK11195 was the most potent inhibitor in the radioligand binding assays followed by Ro5-4864 and diazepam, whereas clonazepam, a specific ligand for the central-type receptor, showed a K(i) >1.0 x 10(-4) M. By a combined strategy of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot experiments, we succeeded in isolating and cloning the full-length Jurkat PBR cDNA, called JuPBR. The JuPBR gene showed two single-nucleotide polymorphisms resulting in the two substitutions, Ala147 --> threonine and His162 --> arginine, of PBR amino acidic sequence. In conclusion, for the first time, we demonstrated PBR expression in Jurkat cells: the protein bound classic PBR ligands with micromolar affinity constants and presented a modified amino acidic sequence consequent to the detection of two gene polymorphisms.

Regulation of A2B adenosine receptor functioning by tumour necrosis factor a in human astroglial cells

Low-affinity A2B adenosine receptors (A2B ARs), which are expressed in astrocytes, are mainly activated during brain hypoxia and ischaemia, when large amounts of adenosine are released. Cytokines, which are also produced at high levels under these conditions, may regulate receptor responsiveness. In the present study, we detected A2B AR in human astrocytoma cells (ADF) by both immunoblotting and real-time PCR. Functional studies showed that the receptor stimulated adenylyl cyclase through Gs proteins. Moreover, A2B ARs were phosphorylated and desensitized following stimulation of the receptors with high agonist concentration. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) treatment (24- h) increased A2B AR functional response and receptor G protein coupling, without any changes in receptor protein and mRNA levels. TNF-alpha markedly reduced agonist-dependent receptor phosphorylation on threonine residues and attenuated agonist-mediated A2B ARs desensitization. In the presence of TNF-alpha, A2B AR stimulation in vitro induced the elongation of astrocytic processes, a typical morphological hallmark of in vivo reactive astrogliosis. This event was completely prevented by the selective A2B AR antagonist MRS 1706 and required the presence of TNF-alpha. These results suggest that, in ADF cells, TNF-alpha selectively modulates A2B AR coupling to G proteins and receptor functional response, providing new insights to clarify the pathophysiological role of A2B AR in response to brain damage.

The A3 Adenosine Receptor Is Highly Expressed in Tumor versus Normal Cells

PURPOSE

A(3) adenosine receptor (A(3)AR) activation was shown to inhibit the growth of various tumor cells via the down-regulation of nuclear factor kappaB and cyclin D1. To additionally elucidate whether A(3)AR is a specific target, a survey of its expression in tumor versus adjacent normal cells was conducted.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A(3)AR mRNA expression in various tumor tissues was tested in paraffin-embedded slides using reverse transcription-PCR analysis. A comparison with A(3)AR expression in the relevant adjacent normal tissue or regional lymph node metastasis was performed. In addition, A(3)AR protein expression was studied in fresh tumors and was correlated with that of the adjacent normal tissue.

RESULTS

Reverse transcription-PCR analysis of colon and breast carcinoma tissues showed higher A(3)AR expression in the tumor versus adjacent non-neoplastic tissue or normal tissue. Additional analysis revealed that the lymph node metastasis expressed even more A(3)AR mRNA than the primary tumor tissue. Protein analysis of A(3)AR expression in fresh tumors derived from colon (n = 40) or breast (n = 17) revealed that 61% and 78% had higher A(3)AR expression in the tumor versus normal adjacent tissue, respectively. The high A(3)AR expression level in the tumor tissues was associated with elevated nuclear factor kappaB and cyclin D1 levels. High A(3)AR mRNA expression was also demonstrated in other solid tumor types.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary and metastatic tumor tissues highly express A(3)AR indicating that high receptor expression is a characteristic of solid tumors. These findings and our previous data suggest A(3)AR as a potential target for tumor growth inhibition.

Endogenous adenosine differentially modulates 5-hydroxytryptamine release from a human enterochromaffin cell model

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim was to determine whether adenosine receptors modulate cAMP, intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release in human carcinoid BON cells.

METHODS

Adenosine receptor (R) mRNA, proteins, and function were identified by Western blots, immunofluorescent labeling, Fluo-4/AM [Ca(2+)](i) imaging, and pharmacologic/physiologic techniques.

RESULTS

A1, A2, and A3Rs were present in BON cells and carcinoid tumors. Baseline 5-HT levels increased with adenosine deaminase, activation of A2Rs, and inhibition of A3Rs, whereas A3R activation decreased 5-HT. A2R antagonists or blockade of adenosine reuptake that elevates extracellular adenosine reduced mechanically evoked 5-HT release. In single BON cells, touch elevated [Ca(2+)](i) responses were augmented by adenosine deaminase, A1, and A3R antagonists.

CONCLUSIONS

Tonic or mechanically evoked release of endogenous adenosine is a critical determinant of differential activation of adenosine receptors and may have important implications for gut mechanosensory reflexes.

An agonist to the A3 adenosine receptor inhibits colon carcinoma growth in mice via modulation of GSK-3 beta and NF-kappa B

A(3) adenosine receptor (A(3)AR) activation with the specific agonist CF101 has been shown to inhibit the development of colon carcinoma growth in syngeneic and xenograft murine models. In the present study, we looked into the effect of CF101 on the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition of HCT-116 colon carcinoma in mice. In tumor lesions derived from CF101-treated mice, a decrease in the expression level of protein kinase A (PKA) and an increase in glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta) was observed. This gave rise to downregulation of beta-catenin and its transcriptional gene products cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Further mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that these responses were counteracted by the selective A(3)AR antagonist MRS 1523 and by the GSK-3 beta inhibitors lithium and SB216763, confirming that the observed effects were A(3)AR and GSK-3 beta mediated. CF101 downregulated PKB/Akt expression level, resulting in a decrease in the level and DNA-binding capacity of NF-kappa B, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the PKA and PKB/Akt inhibitors H89 and Worthmannin mimicked the effect of CF101, supporting their involvement in mediating the response to the agonist. This is the first demonstration that A(3)AR activation induces colon carcinoma growth inhibition via the modulation of the key proteins GSK-3 beta and NF-kappa B.

A3 adenosine receptor activation in melanoma cells: association between receptor fate and tumor growth inhibition

Activation of the Gi protein-coupled A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) has been implicated in the inhibition of melanoma cell growth by deregulating protein kinase A and key components of the Wnt signaling pathway. Receptor activation results in internalization/recycling events that play an important role in turning on/off receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways. Thus, we hereby examined the association between receptor fate, receptor functionality, and tumor growth inhibition upon activation with the agonist 1-deoxy-1-[6-[[(3-iodophenyl)-methyl]amino]-9H-purine-9-yl]-N-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamide (IB-MECA). Results showed that melanoma cells highly expressed A3AR on the cell surface, which was rapidly internalized to the cytosol and "sorted" to the endosomes for recycling and to the lysosomes for degradation. Receptor distribution in the lysosomes was consistent with the down-regulation of receptor protein expression and was followed by mRNA and protein resynthesis. At each stage, receptor functionality was evidenced by the modulation in cAMP level and the downstream effectors protein kinase A, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. The A3AR antagonist MRS 1523 counteracted the internalization process as well as the modulation in the expression of the signaling proteins, demonstrating that the responses are A3AR-mediated. Supporting this notion are the in vivo studies showing tumor growth inhibition upon IB-MECA treatment and reverse of this response when IB-MECA was given in combination with MRS 1523. In addition, in melanoma tumor lesions derived from IB-MECA-treated mice, the expression level A3AR and the downstream key signaling proteins were modulated in the same pattern as was seen in vitro. Altogether, our observations tie the fate of A3AR to modulation of downstream molecular mechanisms leading to tumor growth inhibition both in vitro and in vivo.