AB1559 Sigma-AldrichAnti-Adenosine A2a Receptor Antibody

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive cognitive impairment tightly correlated with the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides (mainly Aβ(1-42)). There is a precocious disruption of glutamatergic synapses in AD, in line with an ability of Aβ to decrease astrocytic glutamate uptake. Accumulating evidence indicates that caffeine prevents the burden of AD, likely through the antagonism of A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) which attenuates Aβ-induced memory impairment and synaptotoxicity. Since A(2A)R also modulate astrocytic glutamate uptake, we now tested if A(2A)R blockade could prevent the decrease of astrocytic glutamate uptake caused by Aβ. In cultured astrocytes, Aβ(1-42). (1 μM for 24 hours) triggered an astrogliosis typified by an increased density of GFAP, which was mimicked by the A(2A)R agonist, CGS 26180 (30 nM), and prevented by the A(2A)R antagonist, SCH 58261 (100 nM). Aβ1-42 also decreased D-aspartate uptake by 28 ± 4%, an effect abrogated upon genetic inactivation or pharmacological blockade of A(2A)R. In accordance with the long term control of glutamate transporter expression by A(2A)R, Aβ(1-42). enhanced the expression and density of astrocytic A(2A)R and decreased GLAST and GLT-I expression in astrocytes from wild type, but not from A(2A)R knockout mice. This impact of Aβ(1-42). on glutamate transporters and uptake, dependent on A(2A)R function, was also confirmed in an ex vivo astrocyte preparation (gliosomes) from rats intracerebroventricularly (icv) injected with Aβ(1-42). . These results provide the first demonstration for a direct key role of astrocytic A(2A)R in the ability of Aβ-induced impairment of glutamate uptake, which may underlie glutamatergic synaptic dysfunction and excitotoxicity in AD.

Although retinal bipolar cells represent a morphologically well defined population of retinal interneurons, very little is known about the developmental mechanisms that regulate their processing. Furthermore, the identity of specific bipolar cell types that function in distinct visual circuits remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the homeobox gene Vsx1 is expressed in Type 7 ON bipolar cells. In the absence of Vsx1, Type 7 bipolar cells exhibit proper morphological specification but show defects in terminal gene expression. Vsx1 is required for the repression of bipolar cell-specific markers, including Calcium-binding protein 5 and Chx10. This contrasts its genetic requirement as an activator of gene expression in OFF bipolar cells. To assess possible ON signaling defects in Vsx1-null mice, we recorded specifically from ON-OFF directionally selective ganglion cells (DSGCs), which cofasciculate with Type 7 bipolar cell terminals. Vsx1-null ON-OFF DSGCs received more sustained excitatory synaptic input, possibly due to Type 7 bipolar cell defects. Interestingly, in Vsx1-null mice, the directionally selective circuit is functional but compromised. Together, these findings indicate that Vsx1 regulates terminal gene expression in Type 7 bipolar cells and is necessary for proper ON visual signaling within a directionally selective circuit.

Rod and cone photoreceptor neurons utilize discrete PDE6 enzymes that are crucial for phototransduction. Rod PDE6 is composed of heterodimeric catalytic subunits (αβ), while the catalytic core of cone PDE6 (α\') is a homodimer. It is not known if variations between PDE6 subunits preclude rod PDE6 catalytic subunits from coupling to the cone phototransduction pathway. To study this issue, we generated a cone-dominated mouse model lacking cone PDE6 (Nrl(-/-) cpfl1). In this animal model, using several independent experimental approaches, we demonstrated the expression of rod PDE6 (αβ) and the absence of cone PDE6 (α\') catalytic subunits. The rod PDE6 enzyme expressed in cone cells is active and contributes to the hydrolysis of cGMP in response to light. In addition, rod PDE6 expressed in cone cells couples to the light signaling pathway to produce S-cone responses. However, S-cone responses and light-dependent cGMP hydrolysis were eliminated when the β-subunit of rod PDE6 was removed (Nrl(-/-) cpfl1 rd). We conclude that either rod or cone PDE6 can effectively couple to the cone phototransduction pathway to mediate visual signaling. Interestingly, we also found that functional PDE6 is required for trafficking of M-opsin to cone outer segments.

The inferior olive (IO) is the sole source of the climbing fibers that innervate the Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex. The IO comprises several subdivisions, the dorsal accessory olive (DAO), medial accessory olive (MAO), and principal nuclei of the IO (IOpr); the relative sizes of these subnuclei vary among species. In human, there is an expansion of the cerebellar hemispheres and a corresponding expansion of the IOpr. We have examined the structural and neurochemical organization of the human IOpr, using sections stained with cresyl violet (CV) or immunostained for the calcium-binding proteins calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), and parvalbumin (PV), the synthetic enzyme for nitric oxide (nNOS), and nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein (NPNFP). We found qualitative differences in the folding patterns of the IOpr among individuals and between the two sides of the brainstem. Quantification of IOpr volumes and indices of folding complexity, however, did not reveal consistent left-right differences in either parameter. Single-label immunohistochemistry showed that populations of neurons in the IOpr express CB, CR, NPNFP, and nNOS. Individual fibers labeled for PV, CB, CR, NPNFP, and nNOS were also found. There was individual variability in the numbers and density of stained neurons in the human IOpr; such variability was not seen in other brainstem nuclei. These data are consistent with, and complement, earlier studies showing a dramatic age-related increase in lipofuscin and decrease in RNA in the human IOpr. The impact of these changes in the IOpr on cerebellar function is, however, not known.

Four types of adenosine receptors have been identified in different tissues and cell types, namely, A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors. We report that A2AR but not A2BR mRNA in freshly isolated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is maximally up-regulated after 4 h stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and to a lesser extent, with interleukin (IL)-1beta. These effects were maintained up to 21 h. Consistent with changes in A2AR mRNA expression, up-regulation of A2AR protein was also detected after 4 h of LPS or TNF-alpha exposure. Up-regulation of A2AR protein expression was transient and returned to near basal levels after 12 h or 16 h stimulation with TNF-alpha or LPS, respectively. Conversely, IL-1beta failed to promote A2AR protein expression. Suppression of thapsigargin-induced leukotriene synthesis by the selective A2AR agonist CGS-21680 was found to be more pronounced when PMN were cultured for 4 h with LPS or TNF-alpha. In contrast, the up-regulation of A2AR has no impact on CGS-21680-induced inhibition of phospholipase D activation and superoxide production in response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe. These results demonstrate that the A2AR is up-regulated by specific T helper cell type 1 cytokines and LPS. Although this could represent a potential feedback mechanism to control inflammation, the effect of A2AR up-regulation varied depending on the stimulus used to stimulate PMN functional responses after their incubation with proinflammatory mediators.

Antipeptide antibody was raised in rabbit against the sequence (361-390) of RDC-8, the presumed adenosine A2A receptor cDNA from canine. The antibody titer was estimated by solid phase radioimmunoassay. Western blot analysis under reducing conditions identified a major 45 +/- 1 kDa protein in bovine striatal membranes. This immunoreactive band was competed in the presence of excess peptide. Furthermore, the antibody recognized a single 45-kDa immunoreactive band in membranes from cells transfected with the recombinant human adenosine A2A receptors, whereas, fail to cross-react with membranes from cells transfected with recombinant rat A1 and human A3 receptors. Membranes from human and porcine coronary artery, ventricle, atria and platelets (human only) showed a major immunoreactive band at 45 +/- 1 kDa size. Under nonreducing conditions, the migration patterns of the immunoreactive bands were not altered indicating the absence of interchain disulfide bond. The 45-kDa immunoreactive band co-migrated with 2-[4-(2-¿2-[(4-aminophenyl)methylcarbonylamino]ethyl-aminocarbo nyl¿et hyl)phenyl]ethylamino-5'-Nethylcarboxamidoadenosine photoaffinity labeled A2A adenosine receptor using SANPAH as the photoaffinity cross-linker. We provide immunological evidence for the presence of A2A adenosine receptor in human cardiovascular tissues that exists as a 45-kDa monomeric protein. This study also presents evidence for the presence of A2A adenosine receptor in ventricle and atria in both human and porcine.

Adenosine receptors (ARs) are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family and mediate the multiple physiological effects of adenosine. Currently, four AR subtypes have been cloned: A1AR, A2aAR, A2bAR, and A3AR. All subtypes are distinctly distributed throughout the body and AR agonists and antagonists have potential therapeutic utility. Knowledge of AR amino acid structure has been utilized in mutagenesis studies to identify specific receptor regions that interact with distinct classes of ligands. Cloning of ARs has also permitted receptor regulatory processes such as desensitization to be studied in greater detail, in particular, the molecular mechanisms underlying this event. Cloning of the human A1AR has revealed that alternate splicing generates distinct receptor transcripts. The existence of a particular transcript in a tissue or cell apparently regulates the level of A1AR expression in the tissue. This review focuses on these aspects of AR structure and function and their therapeutic regulation.