The role of adenosine receptor agonists in regulation of hematopoiesis

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2011-01, Vol.16 (1), p.675-685
• Main Authors: Hofer, Michal, Pospisil, Milan, Weiterova, Lenka, Hoferova, Zuzana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adenosine receptors; Animals; hematopoiesis; Hematopoiesis - drug effects; Humans; myelosuppression; Receptors, Purinergic P1 - drug effects; Review; Signal Transduction
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules16010675

The review summarizes data evaluating the role of adenosine receptor signaling in murine hematopoietic functions. The studies carried out utilized either non-selective activation of adenosine receptors induced by elevation of extracellular adenosine or by administration of synthetic adenosine analogs having various proportions of selectivity for a particular receptor. Numerous studies have described stimulatory effects of non-selective activation of adenosine receptors, manifested as enhancement of proliferation of cells at various levels of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Subsequent experimental approaches, considering the hematopoiesis-modulating action of adenosine receptor agonists with a high level of selectivity to individual adenosine receptor subtypes, have revealed differential effects of various adenosine analogs. Whereas selective activation of A₁ receptors has resulted in suppression of proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor and precursor cells, that of A₃ receptors has led to stimulated cell proliferation in these cell compartments. Thus, A₁ and A₃ receptors have been found to play a homeostatic role in suppressed and regenerating hematopoiesis. Selective activation of adenosine A₃ receptors has been found to act curatively under conditions of drug- and radiation-induced myelosuppression. The findings in these and further research areas will be summarized and mechanisms of hematopoiesis-modulating action of adenosine receptor agonists will be discussed.