Astrocytes and neurons: different roles in regulating adenosine levels

Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside that signals through G-protein coupled receptors. Extracellular adenosine is required for receptor activation and two pathways have been identified for formation and cellular release of adenosine. The CLASSICAL pathway relies on intracellular formation of adenosine from adenine nucleotides and cellular efflux of adenosine via equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs). The ALTERNATE pathway involves cellular release of adenine nucleotides, hydrolysis via ecto-5'-nucleotidases and extracellular formation of adenosine.

A rat model of cerebral ischemia and primary cultures of rat forebrain astrocytes and neurons were used.

Using a rat model of cerebral ischemia, the ENT1 inhibitor nitrobenzylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside (NBMPR) significantly increased post-ischemic forebrain adenosine levels and significantly decreased hippocampal neuron injury relative to saline-treatment. NBMPR-induced increases in adenosine receptor activation were not detected, suggesting that altering the intracellular:extracellular distribution of adenosine can affect ischemic outcome. Using primary cultures of rat forebrain astrocytes and neurons, adenosine release was evoked by ischemic-like conditions. Dipyridamole, an inhibitor of ENTs, was more effective at inhibiting adenosine release from neurons than from astrocytes. In contrast, alpha , beta-methylene ADP, an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase, was effective at inhibiting adenosine release from astrocytes, but not from neurons. Thus, during ischemic-like conditions, neurons released adenosine via the CLASSICAL pathway, while astrocytes released adenosine via the ALTERNATE pathway.

These cell type differences in pathways for adenosine formation during ischemia may allow transport inhibitors to block simultaneously adenosine release from neurons and adenosine uptake into astrocytes. In principle, this could improve neuronal ATP levels without decreasing adenosine receptor activation.