title: Adenosine, inflammation and asthma--a review.
abstract: Adenosine is a ubiquitous molecule present in every cell of the human body. It has a wide range of physiological functions mediated predominantly through specific cell surface adenosine receptors. Adenosine has both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects and acts on inflammatory and resident immune cells and antioxidant enzymes. The elevation of adenosine in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of asthmatics combined with its bronchoconstrictor effect on the airways in asthmatics has led to increased research into the contribution of adenosine in the pathophysiology of inflammation and asthma. This review looks at the airway response to adenosine and at the interaction of adenosine with mast cells and basophils.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Research Group, Inflammation Research Centre, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Science, The Queen's University of Belfast, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Heaney
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ennis
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D000241:Adenosine