Adenosine inhibits the release of interleukin-1β in activated human peripheral mononuclear cells

The effects of adenosine and subtype-specific activators of adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B and A3) were studied on the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) from peripheral mononuclear cells, monocytes and lymphocytes. In the cells activated by the protein kinase C specific phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and Ca2+ ionophore (A23187) both adenosine and the subtype-specific receptor agonists, CPA (A1), CGS 21680 (A2A) and IB-MECA (A3) induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of IL-1β release. The rank order of potency in the inhibition of IL-1β release was CPA = CGS 21680 > IB-MECA > adenosine > NECA (in the presence of A1, A2A and A3 receptor inhibitors). The inhibitory actions of CPA, CGS 21680 or IB-MECA were significantly reduced in the presence of DPCPX, ZM 243185 or MRS 1191 as subtype-specific antagonists on A1, A2A and A3 adenosine receptors, respectively. It can be concluded that adenosine inhibits the release of IL-1β from the activated human peripheral mononuclear cells. In this process A1, A2A and A3 receptors are involved.