Immunosuppressive effects of extracellular adenosine on immune cells: Implications for the pathogenesis of ADA SCID and immunomodulation

Signaling through extracellular adenosine receptors is believed to account for the wide-ranging effects of adenosine. Interest of immunologists in ade nosine stems from the observation that ADA deficiency leads to the inherita ble SCID syndrome, and the data reviewed here indicate that at least some o f the characteristics of ADA-SCID may be a consequence of extracellular ade nosine signaling. Studies of adenosine receptor and ADA-deficient mice may provide the genetic evidence necessary to implicate extracellular adenosine as an important mediator in pathogenesis of ADA SCID and in demonstration of selectivity of adenosine-based immunomodulating drugs. Published 2001 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.