Dual modulation by adenosine of gastrin release from canine G-cells in primary culture

The effects of adenosine on gastrin release were studied in enzymatically dispersed canine antral cells after 24-36 h in primary culture. We found two contrasting actions for adenosine: inhibition of forskolin-stimulated gastrin release and potentiation of bombesin-stimulated gastrin release. These actions appeared to be mediated by A1 and A2 receptors, respectively. Forskolin-stimulated gastrin release was reduced by adenosine and the A1-selective agonist N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (L-PIA) but not by the A2-selective agonist 2-phenylaminoadenosine (CV 1808). This inhibition by adenosine was reversed by the preferential A1-receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) as well as by the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT). Incubation of the cells with pertussis toxin (200 ng, 8 h) reversed the inhibition by adenosine. In contrast, bombesin stimulation of gastrin release was potentiated by adenosine and CV 1808 but not altered by L-PIA. This effect was enhanced by DPCPX and was not altered by treatment of cells with pertussis toxin. In the absence of exogenous adenosine, 8-PT and DPCPX produced a small increase in basal and stimulated gastrin release. These data suggest dual modulation by adenosine of G-cell function. A1 receptors inhibit adenosine 3,5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated gastrin release via a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism, whereas A2 receptors potentiated the response to cAMP-independent stimuli of gastrin release. Enhancement of gastrin release by adenosine antagonists suggests functional restraint by endogenous adenosine.