Human subcutaneous fibroblasts (HSCF) challenged with inflammatory mediators release huge amounts of ATP, which rapidly generates adenosine. Given the nucleoside's putative relevance in wound healing, dermal fibrosis, and myofascial pain, we investigated the role of its precursor, AMP, and of its metabolite, inosine, in HSCF cells growth and collagen production. AMP (30 µM) was rapidly (t½ 3 ± 1 min) dephosphorylated into adenosine by CD73/ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Adenosine accumulation (t½ 158 ± 17 min) in the extracellular fluid reflected very low cellular adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity. HSCF stained positively against A2A and A3 receptors but were A1 and A2B negative. AMP and the A2A receptor agonist, CGS21680C, increased collagen production without affecting cells growth. The A2A receptor antagonist, SCH442416, prevented the effects of AMP and CGS21680C. Inosine and the A3 receptor agonist, 2Cl-IB-MECA, decreased HSCF growth and collagen production in a MRS1191-sensitive manner, implicating the A3 receptor in the anti-proliferative action of inosine. Incubation with ADA reproduced the inosine effect. In conclusion, adenosine originated from extracellular ATP hydrolysis favors normal collagen production by HSCF via A2A receptors. Inhibition of unpredicted inosine formation by third party ADA cell providers (e.g., inflammatory cells) may be a novel therapeutic target to prevent inappropriate dermal remodeling via A3 receptors activation.
Keywords: adenosine A2A receptor; adenosine A3 receptor; cells proliferation; collagen production; exchange protein activated by cyclic AMP (EPAC) pathway; human subcutaneous fibroblasts; inosine.