Opposing Effects of Adenosine and Inosine in Human Subcutaneous Fibroblasts May Be Regulated by Third Party ADA Cell Providers

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 A(2A) and A(3) receptors but were A(1) and A(2B) negative. AMP and the A(2A) receptor agonist, CGS21680C, increased collagen production without affecting cells growth. The A(2A) receptor antagonist, SCH442416, prevented the effects of AMP and CGS21680C. Inosine and the A(3) receptor agonist, 2Cl-IB-MECA, decreased HSCF growth and collagen production in a MRS1191-sensitive manner, implicating the A(3) 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 A(2A) 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 A(3) receptors activation.