The selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist SCH 58261 discriminates between two different binding sites for [3H]-CGS 21680 in the rat brain

We have used quantitative autoradiography to further examine two previously described binding sites for [³H]-CGS 21680 in cortical regions and in striatum, respectively. The striatal binding sites largely represent classical adenosine A_2A receptors whereas the cortical sites show characteristics that differ from those of recognised adenosine receptors. A recently developed non-xanthine A_2A receptor antagonist SCH 58261 displaced the binding of [³H]-CGS 21680 from the A_2A receptors in striatum with an estimated K_i value of 2.4 nM, but was more than 1000-fold less potent in displacing its binding from cortex. Conversely, the adenosine analogue 2-chloro-NECA was found to be some 10 times more potent in displacing CGS 21680 from the cortical binding sites than from A_2A receptors. The results provide additional evidence that CGS 21680 binds not only to classical A_2A receptors, but also to sites that differ from defined adenosine receptors. They also suggest that effects of CGS 21680 observed in the presence of SCH 58261 might reveal the functional significance (if any) of these sites.     

Guanine nucleoside diphosphate and triphosphate modulate [3H]CGS 21680 binding to A2 adenosine receptor in rat striatal membranes

In striatum and several other tissue, a guanine nucleotide binding protein (G_s) couples A₂ adenosine receptor to activation of adenylyl cyclase. We have examined the effect of guanine nucleoside diphosphate and triphosphate on [³H]CGS 21680 binding to A_2A adenosine receptors of rat striatum. Both GDP and GTP inhibited specific [³H]CGS 21680 binding to rat striatal membranes by 50% at about 0.1 mM. GMP was inhibitory only at higher concentrations, and the estimated IC₅₀ value was greater than 1mM. The nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, GPP (NH)p, was as potent as GTP with an IC₅₀ value of approximately 86 μM. These results suggest that the regulation of A_2a adenosine receptor binding properties by guanine nucleotides is independent of G_s activation, since inhibition of agonist binding is achieved by addition of agonist binding is achieved by addition of both guanine nucleoside diphosphate and triphosphate © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

G Protein coupling of CGS 21680 binding sites in the rat hippocampus and cortex is different from that of adenosine A1 and striatal A2A receptors

The effect of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) modifiers on the binding of the adenosine A_2A receptor agonist 2-[4-(2-p-carboxyethyl[³H])phenyl-amino]-5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine ([³H]CGS 21680) and of the adenosine A₁ receptor agonist [³H]R-phenylisopropyladenosine ([³H]R-PIA) to rat cortical and striatal membranes was studied. Guanosine 5’-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate (1–300 μM), which uncouples all G proteins, more effectively inhibited [³H]CGS 21680 (30 nM) binding in the cortex than [³H]R-PIA (2 nM) binding to cortical or striatal membranes or [³H]CGS 21680 (30 nM) binding in the striatum. N-Ethylmaleimide (1–300 μM) or pertussis toxin (1–100 μg/ml), which uncouple G_i/G_o protein-coupled receptors, more effectively inhibited [³H]R-PIA binding to cortical or striatal membranes and [³H]CGS 21680 binding in the cortex than [³H]CGS 21680 binding in the striatum. Cholera toxin (2.5–250 μg/ml), which uncouples G_s protein-coupled receptors, more effectively inhibited [³H]CGS 21680 binding in the striatum than [³H]CGS 21680 binding in the cortex and less effectively inhibited [³H]R-PIA binding to cortical or striatal membranes. Treatment of solubilised cortical membranes with pertussis toxin (50 μg/ml) decreased [³H]CGS 21680 (30–100 nM) binding which almost fully recovered after reconstitution with G_i/G_o proteins. The K _i for displacement of [2-³H]-(4-{2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)(1,2,4)triazolo(2,3-a)(1,3,5)triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl}phenol) ([³H]ZM 241385, 1 nM) by CGS 21680 was 110 nM (95%CI: 98–122 nM) in non-treated, 230 (167–292) nM in pertussis toxin (25 μg/ml)-treated and 222 (150–295) nM in cholera toxin (50 μg/ml)-treated cortical membranes; in contrast, the K _i for displacement of [³H]-5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo(4,3-e)-1,2,4-triazolo(1,5-c)pyrimidine ([³H]SCH 58261, 1 nM) by CGS 21680 was 74 (57–91) nM in non-treated, 71 (44–100) nM in pertussis toxin-treated and 147 (100–193) nM in cholera toxin-treated cortical membranes. Finally, CGS 21680 displaced monophasically the binding of the A₁ antagonist, [³H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (2 nM), and the A₁ agonist, [³H]R-PIA (2 nM), in 2 or 10 mM Mg²⁺-medium, either at 25°C or 37°C, in cortical or striatal membranes. These results indicate that CGS 21680 does not bind to A₁ receptors and that limbic CGS 21680 binding sites differ from striatal-like A_2A receptors since they couple to G_i/G_o proteins, as well as to G_s proteins. Received: 22 July 1998 / Accepted: 18 January 1999     

Evidence for high-affinity binding sites for the adenosine A2A receptor agonist [3H] CGS 21680 in the rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex that are different from striatal A2A receptors

The binding of the adenosine A_2A receptor selective agonist 2-[4-(2-p-carboxyethyl) phenylamino]-5-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680) to the rat hippocampal and cerebral cortical membranes was studied and compared with that to striatal membranes. [³H] CGS 21680, in the concentration range tested (0.2–200 nM), bound to a single site with a K _d of 58 nM and a B _max of 353 fmol/mg protein in the hippocampus, and with a K _d of 58 nM and a B _max of 264 fmol/mg protein in the cortex; in the striatum, the single high-affinity [³H] CGS 21680 binding site had a K _d of 17 nM and a B _max of 419 fmol/mg protein. Both guanylylimidodiphosphate (100 M) and Na⁺ (100 mM) reduced the affinity of [³H] CGS 21680 binding in the striatum by half and virtually abolished [³H] CGS 21680 binding in the hippocampus and cortex. The displacement curves of [³H] CGS 21680 binding with 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), N ⁶-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), 5-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and 2-chloroadenosine (CADO) were biphasic in the hippocampus and cortex as well as in the striatum. The predominant [³H]CGS 21680 binding site in the striatum (80%) had a pharmacological profile compatible with A_2A receptors and was also present in the hippocampus and cortex, representing 10–25% of [³H]CGS 21680 binding. The predominant [³H]CGS 21680 binding site in the hippocampus and cortex had a pharmacological profile distinct from A_2A receptors: the relative potency order of adenosine antagonists DPCPX, 1,3-dipropyl8-{4-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]carbonylmethyloxyphenyl} xanthine (XAC), 8-(3-chlorostyryl) caffeine (CSC), and (E)-1,3-dipropyl-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-methylxanthine (KF 17,837) as displacers of [³H] CGS 21680 (5 nM) binding in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex was DPCPX > XAC CSC KF 17,837, and the relative potency order of adenosine agonists CHA, NECA, CADO, 2-[(2-aminoethylamino)carbonylethylphenylethylamino]-5-N-ethylcar-boxamidoadenosine (APEC), and 2-phenylaminoadenosine (CV 1808) was CHA NECA CADO > APEC CV1808 > CGS 21680. In the presence of DPCPX (20 nM), [³H] CGS 21680 (0.2-200 nM) bound to a site (A_2A-like) with a K _d of 20 nM and a B _max of 56 fmol/mg protein in the hippocampus and with a K _d of 22 nM and a B _max of 63 fmol/mg protein in the cortex. In the presence of CSC (200 nM), [³H]CGS 21680 (0.2–200 nM) bound to a second high-affinity site with a K _d of 97 nM and a B _max of 255 fmol/mg protein in the hippocampus and with a K _d of 112 nM and a B _max of 221 fmol/mg protein in the cortex. Two pharmacologically distinct [³H]CGS 21680 binding sites were found in synaptosomal membranes of the hippocampus and cortex and in the striatum, one corresponding to A_2A receptors and the other to the second high-affinity [³H]CGS 21680 binding site. In contrast, the pharmacology of [³H]CHA binding was similar in synaptosomal membranes of the three brain areas. The present results establish the existence of at least two high-affinity [³H]CGS 21680 binding sites in the CNS and demonstrate that the [³H]CGS 21680 binding site predominant in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex has different binding characteristics from the classic A_2A adenosine receptor, which predominates in the striatum.     

Functional characterization of three adenosine receptor types

1 The purpose of the present study was to classify adenosine receptors into A₁ and A₂ subtypes in a wide range of isolated tissues and cell types (rat adipocytes and atria, guinea-pig ileum and atria (A₁); guinea-pig aorta, dog coronary artery and human platelets and neutrophils (A₂)) using the R- and S-diastereoisomers of N-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), N-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), the novel compound, N-[(1S,trans)-2-hydroxycyclopentyl]adenosine (GR79236), N-[(2-methylphenyl)methyl]adenosine (metrifudil), 2-(phenylamino)adenosine (CV1808), and 2-[[2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenyl]ethyl]amino]-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680); N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) was used as a standard.2 Results obtained in all tissue preparations previously reported to contain A₁-receptors could be described by a single rank order of agonist potency: CPA ≥ GR79236, R-PIA ≥ NECA >> S-PIA ≥ metrifudil ≥ CV1808, CGS21680.3 In contrast, two distinct rank orders of agonist potency were observed in preparations previously reported to contain A₂-receptors. In dog coronary artery, human neutrophils and platelets the rank order of potency was: CV1808, CGS21680 ≥ NECA > R-PIA ≥ metrifudil ≥ CPA > GR79236, S-PIA. However, in guinea-pig aorta the rank order was: NECA > metrifudil > R-PIA, CPA > CV1808, GR79236 ≥ S-PIA, CGS21680.4 The results of this study are consistent with the existence of three types of adenosine receptor: A₁-and two subtypes of A₂-receptor. The receptor present in dog coronary artery, human platelets and neutrophils, probably corresponds to the A_2a subtype, whilst that present in the guinea-pig aorta may be of the A_2b subtype.     

Beneficial effects of a novel agonist of the adenosine A2A receptor on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats

Background and Purpose

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by enhanced pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular hypertrophy and increased right ventricular systolic pressure. Here, we investigated the effects of a N-acylhydrazone derivative, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-N-methyl-benzoylhydrazide (LASSBio-1359), on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Experimental Approach

PAH was induced in male Wistar rats by a single i.p. injection of MCT (60 mg·kg⁻¹) and 2 weeks later, oral LASSBio-1359 (50 mg·kg⁻¹) or vehicle was given once daily for 14 days. Echocardiography was used to measure cardiac function and pulmonary artery dimensions, with histological assay of vascular collagen. Studies of binding to human recombinant adenosine receptors (A₁, A_2A, A₃) and of docking with A_2A receptors were also performed.

Key Results

MCT administration induced changes in vascular and ventricular structure and function, characteristic of PAH. These changes were reversed by treatment with LASSBio-1359. MCT also induced endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary artery, as measured by diminished relaxation of pre-contracted arterial rings, and this dysfunction was reversed by LASSBio-1359. In pulmonary artery rings from normal Wistar rats, LASSBio-1359 induced relaxation, which was decreased by the adenosine A_2A receptor antagonist, ZM 241385. In adenosine receptor binding studies, LASSBio-1359 showed most affinity for the A_2A receptor and in the docking analyses, binding modes of LASSBio-1359 and the A_2A receptor agonist, {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"CGS21680","term_id":"878113053","term_text":"CGS21680"}}CGS21680, were very similar.

Conclusion and Implications

In rats with MCT-induced PAH, structural and functional changes in heart and pulmonary artery were reversed by treatment with oral LASSBio-1359, most probably through the activation of adenosine A_2A receptors.     

Unexpected neuroprotection observed with the adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680

The selective adenosine A_2A receptor agonists 2-[p-(2-carboxethyl)phenylethylaminol-5′-N-ethylcarboxyamidoadenosine (CGS 21680), N-[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]adenosine (DPMA) and metrifudil were investigated for their ability to prevent the loss of pyramidal CA1 neurons in the hippocampus following 5 min of severe temporary forebrain ischemia in mongolian gerbils. CGS 21680, when administered at 18.7 μmol/kg 30 and 120 min following reperfusion, exhibited highly significant protection against neuronal loss, but was inactive at 5.6 μmol/kg. DPMA, a more potent agonist at A₁ and A_2A receptors, was inactive up to a dose of 19 μmol/kg. Metrifudil (equipotent with CGS 21680 at A_2A >25 times more potent at A₁) gave a modest degree of protection at 26 μmol/kg and was inactive at 7.8 μmol/kg. CGS 21680 showed an equal degree of hypothermia at 5.6 and 18.7 μmol/kg, suggesting that this was not the prime mode of action. While the effect of metrifudil may be the result of its higher A₁ receptor affinity, the mode of action of CGS 21680 has not been established; the data, however, suggest that a non-A₁ non-A_2A receptor mechanism may possibly be involved. Drug Dev. Res. 39:108–114 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Opposing actions of an adenosine A2 receptor agonist and a GTP analogue on the regulation of dopamine D2 receptors in rat neostriatal membranes

We have previously found, in rat striatal membrane preparations, that stimulation of adenosine A₂ receptors (with the selective adenosine A₂ receptor agonist CGS 21680) increases the high- and low-affinity dissociation constants and increases the proportion of high-affinity dopamine D₂ receptor binding sites labelled with the selective dopamine D₂ receptor antagonist [³H]raclopride. As guanine nucleotides and divalent cations (such as Mg²⁺) are known to regulate the proportion of high-affinity were performed. Our results suggest that these three factors exert significant, though independent, effects on the proportion of high affinity D₂ receptors, and that A₂ receptors regulate both the affinity of D₂ receptors and the transduction of the signal from the D₂ receptor to the G-protein.     

Binding of the prototypical adenosine A(2A) receptor agonist CGS 21680 to the cerebral cortex of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptor knockout mice

1. 2-p-(2-carboxyethylphenethylamino-5'-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) (CGS 21680) is considered the reference compound to study adenosine A(2A) receptors. However, CGS 21680 binding in the cerebral cortex, where adenosine A(1) receptors are predominant, displays a mixed A(2A)/A(1) receptor pharmacology. We now use adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptor knockout mice to investigate the characteristics of cortical [(3)H]CGS 21680 binding. 2. [(3)H]CGS 21680 binding to the cerebral cortex was strongly reduced in adenosine A(1) receptor knockout mice, but only slightly reduced in A(2A) receptor knockout mice compared with the corresponding wild-type littermates. 3. Another selective A(2A) receptor ligand, [(3)H]-5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine ([(3)H]SCH 58261), displayed a saturable binding to mouse cortical membranes, albeit with a binding density 20 times lower than that of striatal membranes, and this [(3)H]SCH58261 binding was abolished in both striatal and cortical membranes of A(2A) receptor knockout mice and unchanged in A(1) receptor knockout mice. 4. The presence of A(2A) receptors in cortical neurons was further confirmed by Western blot in mouse cortical nerve terminal membranes. 5. It is concluded that, although A(2A) receptors are present in the cerebral cortex, the purportedly selective A(2A) receptor agonist [(3)H]CGS 21680 binds in the cerebral cortex to an entity that requires the presence of adenosine A(1) receptors. Thus, CGS 21680 should be used with care in all preparations where adenosine A(1) receptors out-number A(2A) receptors.     

Species-dependent effects of adenosine receptor agonists on contractile responses of vas deferens to ATP

1 Experiments were carried out to examine the postjunctional actions of adenosine receptor agonists on the smooth muscle of the vas deferens of the guinea-pig and rabbit. 2 Although they produced neither contraction nor relaxation by themselves, adenosine analogues enhanced contractions of the guinea-pig vas deferens induced by 10 μm ATP. The rank order of potency was N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) > 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > adenosine > CGS 21680. Dose–response curves for NECA were shifted to the right by the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist 8(p-sulphophenyl)theophylline (8-SPT; 100 μm ) and by the selective A₁-receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX; 1 m m ). 3 In the rabbit vas deferens, contractions induced by ATP (1 m m ) were inhibited rather than facilitated by NECA. Neither CPA, R(–)-N⁶-(2-phenyl isopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) nor CGS 21680 had any effect. 4 The results indicate that the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig vas deferens expresses facilitatory adenosine A₁ receptors but not adenosine A₂ receptors. In contrast, in rabbit there are postjunctional inhibitory adenosine A_2A receptors but not adenosine A₁ receptors.     

The cardiovascular effects of selective adenosine A1 and A2 receptor agonists in the pithed rat: no role for glibenclamide-sensitive potassium channels

Summary The cardiovascular effects of N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), a selective adenosine A₁ receptor agonist and 2-[p-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino]-5-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680), a selective A₂ receptor agonist have been investigated in the pithed rat with blood pressure raised to normal levels with angiotensin II. Cumulative intravenous administration of CPA, 0.3–10 g/kg, induced dose-related falls in blood pressure and heart rate; over the same dose range CGS 21680 induced hypotension but no bradycardia. Pretreatment with a maximally effective dose of the A₁/A₂ receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulphophenyl) theophylline (8-SPT) blocked the bradycardiac effects of CPA (92-fold) more effectively than its hypotensive activity (5.1-fold); the vasodepressor effects of CGS 21680 were blocked 19-fold by 8-SPT. Glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium (K _infATP ^sup+ ) channels, administered intravenously at 20 mg/kg markedly attenuated the vasodepressor effects of the potassium channel opener, (–)-(3S,4R)-3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-4-(3-oxo-cyclopent-1-enyloxy)2-H-1-benzopyran-6-carbonitrile (SDZ PCO 400). In contrast, neither the hypotensive nor the bradycardic effects of CPA nor the fall in blood pressure following CGS 21680 was significantly affected by pretreatment with glibenclamide. These results indicate that a significant component of the blood pressure fall induced by CPA and CGS 21680 in the pithed rat with blood pressure supported by angiotensin II occurs by a mechanism which is insensitive to 8-SPT and unlikely, therefore, to be mediated by A₁ or A₂ receptors. Moreover, in contrast to the prevailing literature, the cardiovascular effects arising from adenosine receptor activation in this model are not mediated by glibenclamide-sensitive, K _infATP ^sup+ channels.Correspondence to J. R. Fozard at the above address     

Adenosine receptor modulation of sympathetic neurotransmission in rat isolated kidney

In the present study we set out to define, using discriminatory agonists and antagonists, the adenosine receptors modulating sympathetic neurotransmission in the rat kidney. Isolated kidneys from male Wistar rats were perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution at constant flow. The neuronal noradrenaline stores were labeled with ³H-noradrenaline and the renal nerves stimulated electrically (2 Hz, 3 msec, 9 mA, during 20 sec at intervals of 6 min). ³H overflow was taken as an index of ³H-noradrenaline release. The A₁ receptor selective agonists N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), N⁶-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), and N⁶-[R(−)-1-phenyl-2-propyl]adenosine (R-PIA), and the mixed A₁/A_2A receptor agonists 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and 2-chloroadenosine (CADO) inhibited evoked ³H outflow concentration-dependently. The selective A_2A receptor agonist 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino]-5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680), at concentrations selective for A_2A receptors, failed to modify ³H outflow, whereas at higher concentrations it induced inhibition. The rank order of potency of agonists, CPA > CHA = R-PIA > NECA > CADO >> CGS 21680, is typical for an interaction with the A₁ receptor. 1,3-Dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), at concentrations selective for blockade of A₁ receptors, blocked concentration-dependently the inhibitory effects of CPA and NECA; no evidence of an increase in outflow was seen with NECA in the presence of DPCPX. The selective A_2A receptor antagonist 9-chloro-2-(2-furanyl)[1,2,4]triazol[1,5-c] quinazoline-5-amine (CGS 15943) did not influence the agonist effects at concentrations interacting selectively with A_2A receptors but antagonized them concentration-dependently at higher, non-selective concentrations. Taken together, our data establish the presence of inhibitory adenosine A₁ receptors on the terminal sympathetic neurons of rat kidney. No evidence was obtained for the presence of functional A_2A receptors in this preparation. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pharmacological properties of adenosine receptors and adenosine binding proteins

Two major subtypes of adenosine receptors occur in different tissues which have been distinguished by pharmacological and biochemical criteria. The A₁ adenosine receptor has a high-affinity for adenosine and mediates inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, whereas the A₂ adenosine receptor usually has a lower affinity and mediates stimulation of the enzyme. Furthermore, evidence has been obtained that A₁ receptors increase the conductance of receptor-regulated potassium channels, induce inactivation of calcium channels, and modulate the breakdown of phosphoinositides by phospholipase C. Selective agonists and antagonists have been developed for both receptor subtypes. In addition, both adenosine receptors have extensively been characterized by radioligand binding studies. Suitable radioligands for the A₁ receptor are the agonist [³H]2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenoisine (CCPA) and the antagonist [³H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)and for the A_2a receptor [³H]2-[p-(carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]- 5′-N-carboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21860). Furthermore, photoaffinity ligands were developed from adenosine derivatives, which can be covalently incorporated into the binding unit of both receptor subtypes. With this approach, it has been shown that the A₁ receptor has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 36 kDa and the A_2a receptor of 45 kDa. A second approach to elucidate the structure of adenosine receptors involves the purification of receptor protein by affinity chromatography. With this procedure, cerebral A₁ receptors have been purified to apparent homogeneity. More recently, the structure of receptor subtypes has been elucidated by cloning the receptors from a cDNA library. Furthermore, a novel adenosine binding with [³H] 5′ -N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine ([³H]NECA). The pharmacological profile of this NECA-binding protein has been determined in competition experiments with adenosine receptor ligands. It can be distinguished from that of A_2a adenosine receptors and other adenosine binding proteins. We propose the name A_x for this unique adenosine binding protein. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Chronic haloperidol treatment leads to an increase in the intramembrane interaction between adenosine A2 and dopamine D2 receptors in the neostriatum

Stimulation of adenosine A₂ receptors (with the selective adenosine A₂ agonist CGS 21680) in rat striatal membrane preparations, produces a decrease in both the affinity of D₂ receptors and the transduction of the signal from the D₂ receptor to the G protein. This intramembrane A₂-D₂ interaction might be responsible for the behavioural depressant effects of adenosine agonists and for the behavioural stimulant effects of adenosine antagonists such as caffeine and theophylline. Dopamine denervation induces an increase in the intramembrane A₂-D₂ interaction, which may underlie the observed higher sensitivity to the behavioural effects induced by adenosine antagonists found in these animals. The present study was designed to examine if chronic treatment with haloperidol, which also produces dopamine receptor supersensitivity, is also associated with an increase in the intramembrane A₂-D₂ interaction in the neostriatum and with a higher sensitivity to the behavioural effects induced by adenosine antagonists. The data showed that: (i) haloperidol pretreatment causes a higher binding of the D₂ antagonist [³H] raclopride in striatal membrane preparations due to an increase in the number of D₂ receptors without changes in their affinity for the antagonist (increase in B_max without changes in k_d); (ii) GCS 21680 decreases the affinity of dopamine for the D₂ receptor, by increasing the equilibrium dissociation constants of high (K_h) and low affinity (K₁) dopamine D₂ binding sites and increases the proportion of high affinity binding sites (R_h); (iii) a low dose of CGS 21680 (3 nM), which is ineffective in membrane preparations from neostriatum of nontreated animals, is effective in membranes from the striatum of haloperidol-pretreated animals; (iv) the nonselective adenosine antagonist theophylline (20 mg/kg SC) causes a higher motor activation in rats pretreated with haloperidol. The possible relevance of these results for the pathophysiology and treatment of tardive dyskinesias is discussed.     

Further pharmacological characterization of the adenosine receptor subtype mediating inhibition of oxidative burst in human isolated neutrophils

The aims of this study were to characterize the adenosine receptor subtype mediating inhibition of superoxide anion generation induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (fMLP) in human neutrophils and to test the hypothesis that adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is the second messenger mediating such inhibition. Superoxide anion generation induced by a submaximal concentration of fMLP (1 μM) was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by adenosine receptor agonists with a rank order of potency ofN-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > 2(4-[(2- carboxyethyl)phenyl]ethylamino)-5′-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine (CGS 21680) > (R)-N⁶-phenyl-2-propyladenosine ((R)-PIA) > 2-Chloro-N⁶-(3-iodobenzyl)9-[5-methylcarbamoyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl] adenine (2-Cl-IB-MECA) > N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) > (S)-N⁶-phenyl-2-propyladenosine ((S)-PIA) ≥ N⁶-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl) adenosine-5′-N-methyl-uronamide (AB-MECA); this order of potency is consistent with the activation of A_2A adenosine receptors. The nonselective A₁, A_2A, and A_2B receptor antagonist 8-p-(sulphophenyl) theophylline (8-SPT; 10 μM) produced blockade of each of the agonists (pK_B values 4.79–5.68). The selective A₁ adenosine receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX; 100 nM) and the selective A₃ adenosine receptor antagonist 3-(3-iodo-4-aminobenzyl)-8-(4-oxyacetate)phenyl-1-propylxanthine (I-ABOPX; 200 nM) also produced blockade of all the agonists (PK_B values 7.37–7.61 and 6.75–7.52, respectively); however, the concentrations required were higher than those which are considered selective for the A₁ or A₃ receptors. The selective A_2A receptor antagonist, 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [2,3-a] [1,3,5] triazin-5-yl amino]ethyl) phenol (ZM 241385; 100 nM), powerfully suppressed the inhibition of the oxidative burst induced by each of the agonists. A Schild analysis of the effects of ZM 241385, 1–100 nM, against NECA and CGS 21680 was carried out. ZM 241385 produced concentration-dependent, parallel shifts of the concentration–effect curves to both NECA and CGS 21680, with pA₂ values of 9.62 and 9.59, respectively. Together, these data establish that inhibition of the oxidative burst in human isolated neutrophils, induced by adenosine receptor agonists, is mediated by the A_2A receptor. NECA (0.01–10 μM) induced a concentration-dependent increase in the intracellular cAMP content of neutrophils. This effect was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by ZM 241385 (0.001–10 μM), consistent with activation of A_2A adenosine receptors. The results clearly demonstrate that in human neutrophils inhibition of the fMLP—induced oxidative burst by adenosine receptor agonists is mediated via activation of A_2A adenosine receptors linked positively to cAMP. No evidence of A₁, A_2B, or A₃ adenosine receptor-mediated modulation of oxidative burst was found. Drug Dev. Res. 43:214–224, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of selective A1 and A2 adenosine receptor agonists on cardiovascular tissues

Summary We investigated the negative chronotropic and vasodilating properties of new selective A₁ and A₂ adenosine agonists such as 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) and 2-hexynyl-5-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (2-hexynyl-NECA) as compared with reference adenosine analogues. The potency of these compounds on heart rate was assessed in the rat atrial preparation and their activity on the vascular tone was determined in both rat aorta and bovine coronary artery. CCPA was found to be the most potent At agonist of those currently available in producing negative chronotropic effects (EC₅₀ = 8.2 nM). The A1 antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropyl-xanthine (DPCPX) blocked CCPA activity in a dose-dependent manner. There was also a significant correlation between its biological effect and the affinity for A₁ receptors as measured in the rat brain by [³H]-N⁶-cyclohexyladenosine (³[H]-CHA) binding. The A₂ selective agonist 2-hexynyl-NECA showed vasodilating properties comparable with those observed with the reference compounds, CGS 21680 and NECA. EC₅₀ values were 596 and 569 nM in rat aorta and bovine coronary artery, respectively. Moreover, the rank order of potency was similar in the two vascular districts examined, suggesting that the rat aorta is a useful model for studying the effects of adenosine derivatives on vascular tone. In addition, the potency of the compounds in inducing vasodilation was found to be correlated with their affinity for A₂ receptors as measured in the rat striatum by ³[H]-CGS 21680 binding.These data further support that A₁ receptors are involved in depressing cardiac activity and A₂ receptors in inducing vasorelaxation.Correspondence to A. Conti at the above address     

Adenosine – dopamine receptor interactions in the isolated rat nodose ganglion but not in membranes of dorsal vagal complex

The present study has employed in vitro electrophysiology and radioligand binding assays to determine whether dopamine and adenosine receptors interact with each other on rat vagal afferent neurons. Preincubation of the isolated rat nodose ganglion with the adenosine A_2a agonists CGS 21680 or DPMA (Both 1 μM) resulted in a functional antagonism of the ability of dopamine to depolarise the preparation. Specifically, the concentration-response curve to dopamine was significantly shifted to the right in the presence of CGS 21680 and DPMA. On the other hand, adenosine itself, A₁ and A₃ receptor agonists and ATP were all incapable of modulating the electrophysiological response to dopamine. In contrast to the nodose ganglion, CGS 21680 did not significantly affect the ability of the dopamine D₂ ligands quinpirole or raclopride to displace [¹²⁵I]NCQ298 binding to dopamine D₂ receptors in membranes prepared from rat dorsal brain stem. These data indicate the presence of an interaction between high affinity adenosine A₂ receptors and dopamine D₂ receptors on the soma of rat vagal afferent neurons, whereas the situation in the brain stem remains less clear. Received: 17 September 1996 / Accepted: 20 October 1996     

Comparative pharmacology of human adenosine receptor subtypes – characterization of stably transfected receptors in CHO cells

Four adenosine receptor subtypes of the family of G protein-coupled receptors, designated A₁, A_2A, A_2B and A₃ are currently known. In this study all human subtypes were stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in order to be able to study their pharmacological profile in an identical cellular background utilizing radioligand binding studies (A₁, A_2A, A₃) or adenylyl cyclase activity assays (A_2B). The A₁ subtype showed the typical pharmacological profile with 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) as the agonist with the highest affinity and a marked stereoselectivity for the N⁶-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) diastereomers. In competition with antagonist radioligand biphasic curves were observed for agonists. In the presence of GTP all receptors were converted to a single low affinity state indicating functional coupling to endogenous G proteins. For A_2A adenosine receptors CGS 21680 (2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino]-5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) and N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) were found to be the most potent agonists followed by R- and S-PIA with minor stereoselectivity. The relative potencies of agonists for the A_2B adenosine receptor could only be tested by measurement of receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. NECA was the most potent agonist with an EC₅₀-value of 2.3 μM whereas all other compounds tested were active at concentrations in the high micromolar range. Inhibition of NECA-stimulated adenylyl cyclase identified xanthine amino congener (XAC; 8-[4-[[[[(2-aminoethyl)amino]carbonyl]methyl]oxy]phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine) as the most potent antagonist at this receptor subtype. The A₃ receptor was characterized utilizing the nonselective agonist [³H]NECA. The N⁶-benzyl substituted derivatives of adenosine-5′-N-methyluronamide (MECA) turned out to be the most potent agonists. The notion of xanthine-insensitivity of the A₃ receptor should be dropped at least for the human receptor as xanthines with submicromolar affinity were found. Overall, the pharmacological characteristics of the human receptors are similar to other species with some species-specific characteristics. In this study we present for the first time the comparative pharmacology of all known human adenosine receptor subtypes. The CHO cells with stably transfected adenosine receptors provide an identical cellular background for such a pharmacological characterization. These cells are valuable systems for further characterization of specific receptor subtypes and for the development of new ligands. Received: 14 July 1997 / Accepted: 26 September 1997     

Signaling via A2A adenosine receptor in four PC12 cell clones

PC12 cells are genetically labile and so-called wild-type cells comprise multiple subclones. We have examined the A_2A adenosine receptor signal transduction pathways in four such clones (denoted clones 1, 19, 21 and 27) of PC12 cells. Adenosine A_2A, A_2B and A₁ receptor mRNAs were detected in all four clones by RT-PCR, whereas no A₃ receptor mRNA was found. A_2A receptors were quantitated by radioligand binding using the antagonist radioligand [³H]SCH 58261 ([³H]-5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4 triazolo [1,5-c] pyrimidine). The B _max was highest in clone 1 followed by clones 21, 19 and 27. Whereas the amount of G_i protein appeared similar in all four clones, the amount of G_s protein was higher in clones 21 and 27 than in the other two clones. Maximal responses to the non-selective adenosine analogue NECA (5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) were similar to those observed with the selective adenosine A_2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 (2-[p-(2-carbonylethyl) phenylethylamino]-5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine), and were approximately equal in clones 1 and 21, but lower in clone 19 and very low in clone 27. For both compounds EC₅₀ was significantly higher in clone 27 than in clone 1. In both clones the response to NECA could be competitively antagonized by a selective adenosine A_2A antagonist, SCH 58261. The present results show that different clones of PC12 cells differ widely in the cAMP increase induced by adenosine analogues and that this is due to differences in the amount of adenosine A_2A receptor, G protein and effector. A large difference in receptor number resulted in differences in potency of an agonist. Received: 29 June 1998 / Accepted: 10 November 1998     

Binding of [H]MSX-2 (3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methyl-8-(m-methoxystyryl)-1-propargylxanthine) to rat striatal membranes — a new, selective antagonist radioligand for A2A adenosine receptors

The present study describes the preparation and binding properties of a new, potent, and selective A_2A adenosine receptor (AR) antagonist radioligand, [³H]3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methyl-8-(m-methoxystyryl)-1-propargylxanthine ([³H]MSX-2). [³H]MSX-2 binding to rat striatal membranes was saturable and reversible. Saturation experiments showed that [³H]MSX-2 labeled a single class of binding sites with high affinity (K_d=8.0 nM) and limited capacity (B_max=1.16 fmol·mg⁻¹ of protein). The presence of 100 μM GTP, or 10 mM magnesium chloride, respectively, had no effect on [³H]MSX-2 binding. AR agonists competed with the binding of 1 nM [³H]MSX-2 with the following order of potency: 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA)>2-[4-(carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino]-5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680)>2-chloroadenosine (2-CADO)>N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA). AR antagonists showed the following order of potency: 8-(m-bromostyryl)-3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (BS-DMPX)>1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX)>(R)-5,6-dimethyl-7-(1-phenylethyl)-2-(4-pyridyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-amine (SH-128)>3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX)>caffeine. The K_i values for antagonists were in accordance with data from binding studies with the agonist radioligand [³H]CGS21680, while agonist affinities were 3–7-fold lower. [³H]MSX-2 is a highly selective A_2A AR antagonist radioligand exhibiting a selectivity of at least two orders of magnitude versus all other AR subtypes. The new radioligand shows high specific radioactivity (85 Ci/mmol, 3150 GBq/mmol) and acceptable nonspecific binding at rat striatal membranes of 20–30%, at 1 nM.