Activation of Adenosine Receptor on Gingival Fibroblasts

CD73 (ecto-5′-nucleotidase) on human gingival fibroblasts plays a role in the regulation of intracellular cAMP levels through the generation of adenosine, which subsequently activates adenosine receptors. In this study, we examined the involvement of ecto-adenosine deaminase, which can be anchored to CD26 on human gingival fibroblasts, in metabolizing adenosine generated by CD73, and thus attenuating adenosine receptor activation. Ecto-adenosine deaminase expression on fibroblasts could be increased by pre-treatment with a lysate of Jurkat cells, a cell line rich in cytoplasmic adenosine deaminase. Interestingly, the cAMP response to adenosine generated from 5′-AMP via CD73 and the ability of 5′-AMP to induce hyaluronan synthase 1 mRNA were significantly decreased by the pre-treatment of fibroblasts with Jurkat cell lysate. This inhibitory effect was reversed by the specific adenosine deaminase inhibitor. These results suggest that ecto-adenosine deaminase metabolizes CD73-generated adenosine and regulates adenosine receptor activation.