title: The critical role of adenosine A2A receptors in downregulation of inflammation and immunity in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
abstract: Adenosine can be described as a retaliatory metabolite, the production and release of which is usually enhanced under adverse environmental conditions. Binding via specific receptors, adenosine activates endogenous protective mechanisms aiming at the restoration of tissue homeostasis. While adenosinergic downregulation of tissue damage is beneficial in acute inflammation, chronic suppression of the immune system by adenosine may account for immunoparalysis in long-term septic patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10/11N311, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1892, USA.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: Michail V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sitkovsky
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D043705:Receptor, Adenosine A2A; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D043705:Receptor, Adenosine A2A; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D000241:Adenosine