The A2B adenosine receptor modulates pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease

FASEB J. 2012 Jun;26(6):2546-57. doi: 10.1096/fj.11-200907. Epub 2012 Mar 13.

Abstract

Development of pulmonary hypertension is a common and deadly complication of interstitial lung disease. Little is known regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease, and effective treatment options are lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the adenosine 2B receptor (A(2B)R) as a regulator of vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary fibrosis. To accomplish this, cellular and molecular changes in vascular remodeling were monitored in mice exposed to bleomycin in conjunction with genetic removal of the A(2B)R or treatment with the A(2B)R antagonist GS-6201. Results demonstrated that GS-6201 treatment or genetic removal of the A(2B)R attenuated vascular remodeling and hypertension in our model. Furthermore, direct A(2B)R activation on vascular cells promoted interleukin-6 and endothelin-1 release. These studies identify a novel mechanism of disease progression to pulmonary hypertension and support the development of A(2B)R antagonists for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension secondary to interstitial lung disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide) / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Bleomycin
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelin-1 / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / complications*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / complications
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Purines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B / physiology*

Substances

  • Endothelin-1
  • Interleukin-6
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists
  • Purines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B
  • Bleomycin
  • Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide)
  • 3-ethyl-1-propyl-8-(1-(3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3,7-dihydropurine-2,6-dione