Olfactory receptors in neural regeneration in the central nervous system

Olfactory receptors are crucial for detecting odors and play a vital role in our sense of smell,influencing behaviors from food choices to emotional memories.These receptors also contribute to our perception of flavor and have potential applications in medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring.The ability of the olfactory system to regenerate its sensory neurons provides a unique model to study neural regeneration,a phenomenon largely absent in the central nervous system.Insights gained from how olfactory neurons continuously replace themselves and reestablish functional connections can provide strategies to promote similar regenerative processes in the central nervous system,where damage often results in permanent deficits.Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning olfactory neuron regeneration could pave the way for developing therapeutic approaches to treat spinal co rd injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.Olfa ctory receptors are found in almost any cell of eve ry orga n/tissue of the mammalian body.This ectopic expression provides insights into the chemical structures that can activate olfactory receptors.In addition to odors,olfactory receptors in ectopic expression may respond to endogenous compounds and molecules produced by mucosal colonizing microbiota.The analysis of the function of olfactory receptors in ectopic expression provides valuable information on the signaling pathway engaged upon receptor activation and the receptor's role in proliferation and cell differentiation mechanisms.This review explo res the ectopic expression of olfa ctory receptors and the role they may play in neural regeneration within the central nervous system,with particular attention to compounds that can activate these receptors to initiate regenerative processes.Evidence suggests that olfactory receptors could serve as potential therapeutic targets for enhancing neural repair and recovery following central nervous system injuries.

Electronic Structure of some A3 Adenosine-Receptor Antagonist——A Structure Activity Relationship

DFT quantum chemical computations have been carried out at the B3LYP/6-31G (d) level. Full geometry optimization has been performed and equilibrium geometries for a new series of phenyl thiazoles have been located. Ground state electronic properties, charge density distributions, dipole moments and its components have been calculated and reported. Effect of substituents on the geometry and on the polarization of the studied series of compounds are analyzed and discussed. Some structural features have been pinpointed to underline the affinity and selectivity of the studied compounds as adenosine A3-receptor antagonists. Results of the present work indicate that activity towards A3 receptor sites is directly correlated with both of the polarity and the co-planarity of the thiazole.

Adenosine A_(2A)receptor blockade attenuates excitotoxicity in rat striatal medium spiny neurons during an ischemic-like insult

During brain ischemia,excitotoxicity and peri-infarct depolarization injuries occur and cause cerebral tissue damage.Indeed,anoxic depolarization,consisting of massive neuronal depolarization due to the loss of membrane ion gradients,occurs in vivo or in vitro during an energy failure.The neuromodulator adenosine is released in huge amounts during cerebral ischemia and exerts its effects by activating specific metabotropic receptors,namely:A_(1),A_(2A),A_(2B),and A_(3).The A_(2A)receptor subtype is highly expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons,which are particularly susceptible to ischemic damage.Evidence indicates that the A2Areceptors are upregulated in the rat striatum after stroke and the selective antagonist SCH58261 protects from exaggerated glutamate release within the first 4 hours from the insult and alleviates neurological impairment and histological injury in the following 24 hours.We recently added new knowledge to the mechanisms by which the adenosine A2Areceptor subtype participates in ischemia-induced neuronal death by performing patch-clamp recordings from medium spiny neurons in rat striatal brain slices exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation.We demonstrated that the selective block of A2Areceptors by SCH58261 significantly reduced ionic imbalance and delayed the anoxic depolarization in medium spiny neurons during oxygen and glucose deprivation and that the mechanism involves voltage-gated K+channel modulation and a presynaptic inhibition of glutamate release by the A2Areceptor antagonist.The present review summarizes the latest findings in the literature about the possibility of developing selective ligands of A2Areceptors as advantageous therapeutic tools that may contribute to counteracting neurodegeneration after brain ischemia.

Overexpression of low-density lipoprotein receptor prevents neurotoxic polarization of astrocytes via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in experimental ischemic stroke

Neurotoxic astrocytes are a promising therapeutic target for the attenuation of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Low-density lipoprotein receptor,a classic cholesterol regulatory receptor,has been found to inhibit NLR family pyrin domain containing protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation in neurons following ischemic stroke and to suppress the activation of microglia and astrocytes in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.However,little is known about the effects of low-density lipoprotein receptor on astrocytic activation in ischemic stroke.To address this issue in the present study,we examined the mechanisms by which low-density lipoprotein receptor regulates astrocytic polarization in ischemic stroke models.First,we examined low-density lipoprotein receptor expression in astrocytes via immunofluorescence staining and western blotting analysis.We observed significant downregulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor following middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation.Second,we induced the astrocyte-specific overexpression of low-density lipoprotein receptor using astrocyte-specific adeno-associated virus.Low-density lipoprotein receptor overexpression in astrocytes improved neurological outcomes in middle cerebral artery occlusion mice and reversed neurotoxic astrocytes to create a neuroprotective phenotype.Finally,we found that the overexpression of low-density lipoprotein receptor inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation injured astrocytes and that the addition of nigericin,an NLRP3 agonist,restored the neurotoxic astrocyte phenotype.These findings suggest that low-density lipoprotein receptor could inhibit the NLRP3-meidiated neurotoxic polarization of astrocytes and that increasing low-density lipoprotein receptor in astrocytes might represent a novel strategy for treating cerebral ischemic stroke.

Cortico-striatal gamma oscillations are modulated by dopamine D3 receptors in dyskinetic rats

Long-term levodopa administration can lead to the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.Gamma oscillations are a widely recognized hallmark of abnormal neural electrical activity in levodopa-induced dyskinesia.Currently,studies have reported increased oscillation power in cases of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.However,little is known about how the other electrophysiological parameters of gamma oscillations are altered in levodopa-induced dyskinesia.Furthermore,the role of the dopamine D3 receptor,which is implicated in levodopa-induced dyskinesia,in movement disorder-related changes in neural oscillations is unclear.We found that the cortico-striatal functional connectivity of beta oscillations was enhanced in a model of Parkinson’s disease.Furthermore,levodopa application enhanced cortical gamma oscillations in cortico-striatal projections and cortical gamma aperiodic components,as well as bidirectional primary motor cortex(M1)↔dorsolateral striatum gamma flow.Administration of PD128907(a selective dopamine D3 receptor agonist)induced dyskinesia and excessive gamma oscillations with a bidirectional M1↔dorsolateral striatum flow.However,administration of PG01037(a selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonist)attenuated dyskinesia,suppressed gamma oscillations and cortical gamma aperiodic components,and decreased gamma causality in the M1→dorsolateral striatum direction.These findings suggest that the dopamine D3 receptor plays a role in dyskinesia-related oscillatory activity,and that it has potential as a therapeutic target for levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

Nuclear receptors and pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with a median overall survival time of 5 mo and the five years survival less than 5%, a rate essentially unchanged over the course of the years. A well defined progression model of accumulation of genetic alterations ranging from single point mutations to gross chromosomal abnormalities has been introduced to describe the origin of this disease. However, due to the its subtle nature and concurring events PDAC cure remains elusive. Nuclear receptors (NR) are members of a large superfamily of evolutionarily conserved ligand-regulated DNA-binding transcription factors functionally involved in important cellular functions ranging from regulation of metabolism, to growth and development. Given the nature of their ligands, NR are very tempting drug targets and their pharmacological modulation has been widely exploited for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. There are now clear evidences that both classical ligand-activated and orphan NR are involved in the pathogenesis of PDAC from its very early stages; nonetheless many aspects of their role are not fully understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight the striking connections that link peroxisome proliferator activated receptors, retinoic acid receptors, retinoid X receptor, androgen receptor, estrogen receptors and the orphan NR Nur, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II and the liver receptor homologue-1 receptor to PDAC development, connections that could lead to the identification of novel therapies for this disease.

Electroacupuncture improves neuropathic pain Adenosine, adenosine 5'-triphosphate disodium and their receptors perhaps change simultaneously

Applying a stimulating current to acupoints through acupuncture needles–known as electroacupuncture–has the potential to produce analgesic effects in human subjects and experimental animals. When acupuncture was applied in a rat model, adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium in the extracellular space was broken down into adenosine, which in turn inhibited pain transmission by means of an adenosine A1 receptor-dependent process. Direct injection of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist enhanced the analgesic effect of acupuncture. The analgesic effect of acupuncture appears to be mediated by activation of A1 receptors located on ascending nerves. In neuropathic pain, there is upregulation of P2X purinoceptor 3 （P2X3） receptor expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Conversely, the onset of mechanical hyperalgesia was diminished and established hyperalgesia was significantly reversed when P2X3 receptor expression was downregulated. The pathways upon which electroacupuncture appear to act are interwoven with pain pathways, and electroacupuncture stimuli converge with impulses originating from painful areas. Electroacupuncture may act via purinergic A1 and P2X3 receptors simultaneously to induce an analgesic effect on neuropathic pain.

Melanocortin 3,5 receptors immunohistochemical expression in colonic mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease patients:A matter of disease activity?

BACKGROUND Melanocortin 3 and 5 receptors(i.e.,MC3R and MC5R)belong to the melanocortin family.However,data regarding their role in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are currently unavailable.AIM This study aims to ascertain their expression profiles in the colonic mucosa of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC),aligning them with IBD disease endoscopic and histologic activity.METHODS Colonic mucosal biopsies from CD/UC patients were sampled,and immunohisto-chemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the expression of MC3R and MC5R.Colonic sampling was performed on both traits with endoscopic scores(Mayo endoscopic score and CD endoscopic index of severity)consistent with inflamed mucosa and not consistent with disease activity(i.e.,normal appearing mucosa).RESULTS In both CD and UC inflamed mucosa,MC3R(CD:+7.7 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01;UC:+12 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01)and MC5R(CD:+5.5 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01;UC:+8.1 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01)were significantly more expressed compared to normal mucosa.CONCLUSION MC3R and MC5R are expressed in the colon of IBD patients.Furthermore,expression may differ according to disease endoscopic activity,with a higher degree of expression in the traits affected by disease activity in both CD and UC,suggesting a potential use of these receptors in IBD pharmacology.

Electroacupuncture-induced neuroprotection against focal cerebral ischemia in the rat is mediated by adenosine A1 receptors

The activation of adenosine A1 receptors is important for protecting against ischemic brain injury and pretreatment with electroacupuncture has been shown to mitigate ischemic brain insult. The aim of this study was to test whether the adenosine A1 receptor mediates electroacupuncture pretreatment-induced neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury. We first performed 30 minutes of electroacupuncture pretreatment at the Baihui acupoint（GV20）, delivered with a current of 1 mA, a frequency of 2/15 Hz, and a depth of 1 mm. High-performance liquid chromatography found that adenosine triphosphate and adenosine levels peaked in the cerebral cortex at 15 minutes and 120 minutes after electroacupuncture pretreatment, respectively. We further examined the effect of 15 or 120 minutes electroacupuncture treatment on ischemic brain injury in a rat middle cerebral artery-occlusion model. We found that at 24 hours reperfusion,120 minutes after electroacupuncture pretreatment, but not for 15 minutes, significantly reduced behavioral deficits and infarct volumes. Last, we demonstrated that the protective effect gained by 120 minutes after electroacupuncture treatment before ischemic injury was abolished by pretreatment with the A1-receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine（1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally）. Our results suggest that pretreatment with electroacupuncture at the Baihui acupoint elicits protection against transient cerebral ischemia via action at adenosine A1 receptors.

Long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation-induced sortilin expression promotes α-synuclein upregulation in dopaminergic neurons

Prolonged activation of adenosine A1 receptor likely leads to damage of dopaminergic neurons and subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases.However,the pathogenesis underlying long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation-induced neurodegeneration remains unclear.In this study,rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine(CPA)for five weeks.The mobility of rats was evaluated by forced swimming test,while their cognitive capabilities were evaluated by Y-maze test.Expression of sortilin,α-synuclein,p-JUN,and c-JUN proteins in the substantia nigra were detected by western blot analysis.In addition,immunofluorescence staining of sortilin andα-synuclein was performed to detect expression in the substantia nigra.The results showed that,compared with adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine(5 mg/kg)+CPA co-treated rats,motor and memory abilities were reduced,surface expression of sortin andα-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons was reduced,and total sortilin and totalα-synuclein were increased in CPA-treated rats.MN9D cells were incubated with 500 nM CPA alone or in combination with 10μM SP600125(JNK inhibitor)for 48 hours.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of sortilin andα-synuclein mRNA levels in MN9D cells revealed upregulated sortilin expression in MN9D cells cultured with CPA alone,but the combination of CPA and SP600125 could inhibit this expression.Predictions made using Jasper,PROMO,and Alibaba online databases identified a highly conserved sequence in the sortilin promoter that was predicted to bind JUN in both humans and rodents.A luciferase reporter assay of sortilin promoter plasmid-transfected HEK293T cells confirmed this prediction.After sortilin expression was inhibited by sh-SORT1,expression of p-JUN and c-JUN was detected by western blot analysis.Long-term adenosine A1 receptor activation levels upregulatedα-synuclein expression at the post-transcriptional level by affecting sortilin expression.The online tool Raptor-X-Binding and Discovery Studio 4.5 prediction software predicted that sortilin can bind toα-synuclein.Co-immunoprecipitation revealed an interaction between sortilin andα-synuclein in MN9D cells.Our findings indicate that suppression of prolonged adenosine A1 receptor activation potently inhibited sortilin expression andα-synuclein accumulation,and dramatically improved host cognition and kineticism.This study was approved by the University Committee of Animal Care and Supply at the University of Saskatchewan(approval No.AUP#20070090)in March 2007 and the Animals Ethics Committee of University of South China(approval No.LL0387-USC)in June 2017.

Axonal growth inhibitors and their receptors in spinal cord injury:from biology to clinical translation

Axonal growth inhibitors are released during traumatic injuries to the adult mammalian central nervous system, including after spinal cord injury. These molecules accumulate at the injury site and form a highly inhibitory environment for axonal regeneration. Among these inhibitory molecules, myelinassociated inhibitors, including neurite outgrowth inhibitor A, oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and repulsive guidance molecule A are of particular importance. Due to their inhibitory nature, they represent exciting molecular targets to study axonal inhibition and regeneration after central injuries. These molecules are mainly produced by neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes within the scar and in its immediate vicinity. They exert their effects by binding to specific receptors, localized in the membranes of neurons. Receptors for these inhibitory cues include Nogo receptor 1, leucine-rich repeat, and Ig domain containing 1 and p75 neurotrophin receptor/tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 19(that form a receptor complex that binds all myelin-associated inhibitors), and also paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and repulsive guidance molecule A bind to Nogo receptor 1, Nogo receptor 3, receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase σ and leucocyte common antigen related phosphatase, and neogenin, respectively. Once activated, these receptors initiate downstream signaling pathways, the most common amongst them being the Rho A/ROCK signaling pathway. These signaling cascades result in actin depolymerization, neurite outgrowth inhibition, and failure to regenerate after spinal cord injury. Currently, there are no approved pharmacological treatments to overcome spinal cord injuries other than physical rehabilitation and management of the array of symptoms brought on by spinal cord injuries. However, several novel therapies aiming to modulate these inhibitory proteins and/or their receptors are under investigation in ongoing clinical trials. Investigation has also been demonstrating that combinatorial therapies of growth inhibitors with other therapies, such as growth factors or stem-cell therapies, produce stronger results and their potential application in the clinics opens new venues in spinal cord injury treatment.

Attenuation of gastric mucosal inflammation induced by aspirin through activation of A_(2A) adenosine receptor in rats

AIM： To determine whether a specific adenosine A2A receptor agonist （ATL-146e） can ameliorate aspirin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats, and reduce neutrophil accumulation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. METHODS： Gastric lesions were produced by oral gavage of aspirin （200 mg/kg） and HCI （0.15 mol/L, 8.0 mL/kg）. 4-{3-[6-Amino-9-（5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4- dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl）-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2- ynyl}-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester （ATL-146e, 2.5-5μg/kg, IP） was injected 30 min before the administration of aspirin. Tissue myeloperoxidase （MPO） concentration in gastric mucosa was measured as an index of neutrophil infiltration. Gastric mucosal concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were determined by ELISA. Also, we examined the effect of ATL-146e on tissue prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） production and gastric secretion. RESULTS： Intragastric administration of aspirin induced multiple hemorrhagic erosions in rat gastric mucosa. The total length of gastric erosions （ulcer index） in control rats was 29.8±7.75 mm and was reduced to 3.8±1.42 mm alter pretreatment with 5.0 g/kg ATL-146e （P〈 0.01）. The gastric contents of MPO and pro-inflammatory cytokines were all increased after the administration of aspirin and reduced to nearly normal levels by ATL-146e. Gastric mucosal PGE2 concentration was not affected by intraperitoneal injection of ATL-146e. CONCLUSION： The specific adenosine A2A receptor agonist, ATL-146e, has potent anti-ulcer effects presumably mediated by its anti-inflammatory properties.

Pretreatment with adenosine and adenosine A1 receptor agonist protects against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat

AIM： To examine the effects of adenosine and A1 receptor activation on reperfusion-induced small intestinal injury. METHODS： Rats were randomized into groups with sham operation, ischemia and reperfusion, and systemic treatments with either adenosine or 2-chloro-N^6-cyclopentyladenosine, A1 receptor agonist or 8-cyclopentyl- 1,3-clipropylxanthine, A1 receptor antagonist, plus adenosine before ischemia. Following reperfusion, contractions of ileum segments in response to KCl, carbachol and substance P were recorded. Tissue myeloperoxidase,malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione levels were measured. RESULTS： Ischemia significantly decreased both contraction and reduced glutathione level which were ameliorated by adenosine and agonist administration. Treatment also decreased neutrophil infiltration and membrane lipid peroxidation. Beneficial effects of adenosine were abolished by pretreatment with A1 receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION： The data suggest that adenosine and A1 receptor stimulation attenuate ischemic intestinal injury via decreasing oxidative stress, lowering neutrophil infiltration, and increasing reduced glutathione content.

<i>Cordyceps sinensis</i>Acts As an Adenosine A₃Receptor Agonist on Mouse Melanoma and Lung Carcinoma Cells, and Human Fibrosarcoma and Colon Carcinoma Cells

Cordyceps sinensis, a parasitic fungus on the larva of Lapidoptera, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine. We previously reported that the growth of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma (B16-BL6) cells and mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells was inhibited by cordycepin (3’-deoxyadenosine), an ingredient of Cordyceps sinensis, and its effect was antagonized by MRS1191, a selective adenosine A3 receptor (A3-R) antagonist although adenosine (up to 100 μM) had no effect on the growth of B16-BL6 and LLC cells. In this study, we investigated whether water extracts of Cordyceps sinensis (WECS) inhibit the growth of B16-BL6 cells, LLC cells, HT1080 human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells and CW-2 human colon carcinoma (CW-2) cells via their A3-R. As a result, the growth of all cell lines were potently inhibited by WECS (10 μg/mL) and the inhibitory effect of WECS was significantly antagonized by MRS1191 (1 μM). Furthermore, WECS included 2.34% w/w cordycepin and 0.12% w/w adenosine as components according to the HPLC- ECD system. In conclusion, WECS inhibited the proliferation of four cancer cell lines by stimulation of A3-R and the main component in WECS with anticancer action might be cordycepin instead of adenosine.

The gene expression of adenosine receptors in the processes of contrast induced nephropathy in mouse kidney

Objective: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third leading cause of hospital acquired renal failure. The mechanism of CIN is not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to investigate the expression changes of the four subtypes of adenosine receptors (A1AR, A2AAR, A2BAR, and A3AR) following administration of contrast media in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomized into treatment and control groups. Iodixanol (IDX) was administered to two treatment groups through retroorbital injection at two different dosages, 0.75 gI/kg and 2.75 gI/kg. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was given to the control group. Mice kidneys were harvested at day 3 and day 7 after Iodixanol administration. Kidney injuries and function were evaluated according to Hematoxylin and eosin stain, Ki67 protein expression, and TUNEL assay of paraffin embedded kidney sections, and plasma creatinine assay. RNA and protein were extracted from the kidney specimens. A1AR, A2AAR, A2BAR, and A3AR RNA and protein level of the samples were assessed using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, with GAPDH as an endogenous control. Results: H&E staining showed no significant histopathology injuries after Iodixanol administration. No evidence of kidney injury and functional impairment was found. However, there was an increased number of A1AR, A2AAR, A2BAR, and A3AR RNA transcripts detected in the kidney 3 days after Iodixanol injection. The RNA levels in all the four subtypes of adenosine receptors were increased 2-3 fold in the day 3 specimens and back to normal at day 7. Western blot demonstrated that A1AR, A2AAR, and A3AR expression increased 1.5 to 2 fold at day 3 and day 7 following Iodixanol injection. A2BAR baseline expression was low in normal physiological conditions and no significant change was detected by Western blot. Conclusions: Iodixanol significantly increases adenosine receptors gene expression in mice. This suggests that adenosine receptors may play a role in the development of CIN.

Upregulated adenosine 2A receptor accelerates post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome by promoting CD4+T cells’T helper 17 polarization

BACKGROUND Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)is generally regarded as a functional disease.Several recent studies have reported the involvement of lowgrade inflammation and immunological dysfunction in PI-IBS.T helper 17(Th17)polarization occurs in IBS.Adenosine and its receptors participate in intestinal inflammation and immune regulation.AIM To investigate the role of Th17 polarization of CD4+T cells regulated by adenosine 2A receptor(A2AR)in PI-IBS.METHODS A PI-IBS model was established by infecting mice with Trichinella spiralis.The intestinal A2AR and CD4+T lymphocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay.CD4+T lymphocytes present in the animal’s spleen were separated and cultured with or without A2AR agonist and antagonist.Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine the effect of A2AR on the cells and intestinal tissue.Cytokine production was determined.The protein and mRNA levels of A2AR associated signaling pathway molecules were also evaluated.Furthermore,A2AR agonist and antagonist were injected into the mouse model and the clinical features were observed.RESULTS The PI-IBS mouse model showed increased expression of ATP and A2AR(P<0.05),and inhibition of A2AR improved the clinical features in PI-IBS,including the abdominal withdrawal reflex and colon transportation test(P<0.05).The number of intestinal CD4+T cells and interleukin-17(IL-17)protein levels increased during PI-IBS,which was reversed by administration of the A2AR antagonist(P<0.05).CD4+T cells expressed A2AR and produced IL-17 in vitro,which was regulated by the A2AR agonist and antagonist.The A2AR antagonist increased the production of IL-17 by CD4+T cells via the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcriptionreceptor-related orphan receptorγsignaling pathway.CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggested that the upregulation of A2AR increases PI-IBS by promoting the Th17 polarization of CD4+T cells.

The Expression of Endothelin Receptor B in Melanoma Cells A375 and Sk-mel-1 and the Proliferative Effects of Endothelin 3 on A375 Cells

In order to investigate the expression of endothelin receptor B （ETR-B） in human malignant melanoma （MM） cells A375 and SK-mel-1 and the proliferative effects of endothelin 3 （ET3） on A375 cells, RT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of ETR-B gene in human MM cells A375 and SK-mel-1. MTT method was used to evaluate the growth enhancing effects of ET3 on A375 cell line in vitro. The results showed that ETR-B gene was expressed in both MM A375 and SK-mel-1 cells. ET3 had stronger ability to enhance the proliferation of A375 cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. It was suggested that ET3/ETR-B might play an important proliferative role in MM.

Oligodendrocyte precursor cell maturation: role of adenosine receptors

Oligodendrocyte-formed myelin sheaths allow fast synaptic transmission in the brain and their degeneration leads to demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Remyelination requires the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into mature oligodendrocytes but, in chronic neurodegenerative disorders, remyelination fails due to adverse environment. Therefore, a strategy to prompt oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation towards myelinating oligodendrocytes is required. The neuromodulator adenosine, and its receptors(A1, A(2A), A(2B) and A3 receptors: A1R, A(2A)R, A(2B)R and A3R), are crucial mediators in remyelination processes. It is known that A1Rs facilitate oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation and migration whereas the A3Rs initiates apoptosis in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Our group of research contributed to the field by demonstrating that A(2A)R and A(2B)R inhibit oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation by reducing voltage-dependent K^+ currents necessary for cell differentiation. The present review summarizes the possible role of adenosine receptor ligands as potential therapeutic targets in demyelinating pathologies such as multiple sclerosis.

The seeming paradox of adenosine receptors as targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: agonists or antagonists?

Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, and its incidence is relatively high among elderly people, affecting about 1-2% of the population between 60-65 years old and rising dramatically （about 30%） in people aged 80 years or older （Selkoe, 2002）. Nowadays, considering the increasing mean lifespan of populations in developed countries, the disease is becoming more and more a health concern, and the search for an effective cure has turned into＂a real need＂.

Targeting the inflammasome and adenosine type-3 receptors improves outcome of antibiotic therapy in murine anthrax

AIM:To establish whether activation of adenosine type-3 receptors(A3Rs)and inhibition of interleukin- 1β-induced inflammation is beneficial in combination with antibiotic therapy to increase survival of mice challenged with anthrax spores. METHODS:DBA/2 mice were challenged with Bacillus anthracis spores of the toxigenic Sterne strain 43F2. Survival of animals was monitored for 15 d.Ciprofloxacin treatment(50 mg/kg,once daily,intraperitoneally) was initiated at day+1 simultaneously with the ad- ministration of inhibitors,and continued for 10 d.Two doses(2.5 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg)of acetyl-tyrosylvalyl-alanyl-aspartyl-chloromethylketone(YVAD)and three doses(0.05,0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg)of 1-[2-Chloro- 6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1- deoxy-N-methyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamide(Cl-IB-MECA) were tested.Animals received YVAD on days 1-4,and Cl-IB-MECA on days 1-10 once daily,subcutaneously. Human lung epithelial cells in culture were challenged with spores or edema toxin and the effects of IB-MECAon phosphorylation of AKT and generation of cAMP were tested. RESULTS:We showed that the outcome of antibiotic treatment in a murine anthrax model could be substantially improved by co-administration of the caspase-1/4 inhibitor YVAD and the A3R agonist Cl-IB-MECA.Combination treatment with these substances and ciprofloxacin resulted in up to 90%synergistic protection.All untreated mice died,and antibiotic alone protected only 30% of animals.We conclude that both substances target the aberrant host signaling that underpins anthrax mortality. CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest new possibilities for combination therapy of anthrax with antibiotics,A3R agonists and caspase-1 inhibitors.