Activation of adenosine A2A receptor induced interleukin-23 mRNA expression in macrophages of ankylosing spondylitis patients.

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an auto-inflammatory debilitating disorder with a complex pathogenesis. The adenosinergic pathway is an immunologic regulating pathway with a potential role in AS pathophysiology. In the present study, we have aimed to investigate the influence of A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR) activation on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) expression and secretion by monocyte-generated macrophages of AS patients.

METHODS

Whole-blood separated monocytes were extracted from 14 AS patients and 14 healthy controls. Macrophages were differentiated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and surface markers were confirmed by flow cytometer. Cells were treated with CGS-21680 as a known agonist of A2AAR. Analysis of ADORA2A, TNFA, and IL23A gene expression was performed by SYBR green real-time PCR. The concentration of secreted cytokines was also measured by ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Based on our analysis, CGS-21680 significantly decreased TNF-α secretion by monocyte-derived macrophages of AS patients. Moreover, A2AAR agonist increased the IL23A mRNA expression level in monocyte-derived macrophages of AS patients considerably. Whereas, CGS-21680 did not have any influence on macrophages of healthy individuals.

CONCLUSION

According to our results, it appears that A2AAR activation can increase IL-23 secretion by monocyte-derived macrophages of AS patients. Although the TNF-α reducing effect of A2AAR agonists can be a potential target in AS treatment, robust increasing of IL-23 should be considered as the undesirable effect of these agents.