title: Adenosine and lymphocyte regulation.
abstract: Adenosine is a potent extracellular messenger that is produced in high concentrations under metabolically unfavourable conditions. Tissue hypoxia, consequent to a compromised cellular energy status, is followed by the enhanced breakdown of ATP leading to the release of adenosine. Through the interaction with A(2) and A(3) membrane receptors, adenosine is devoted to the restoration of tissue homeostasis, acting as a retaliatory metabolite. Several aspects of the immune response have to be taken into consideration and even though in general it is very important to dampen inflammation, in some circumstances, such as the case of cancer, it is also necessary to increase the activity of immune cells against pathogens. Therefore, adenosine receptors that are defined as "sensors" of metabolic changes in the local tissue environment may be very important targets for modulation of immune responses and drugs devoted to regulating the adenosinergic system are promising in different clinical situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Unit, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gessi
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Varani
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merighi
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fogli
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sacchetto
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benini
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mac-Lennan
authors.forename: Pier Andrea
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Borea