The ecto-enzymes CD73 and adenosine deaminase modulate 5'-AMP-derived adenosine in myofibroblasts of the rat small intestine.

Adenosine is a versatile signaling molecule recognized to physiologically influence gut motor functions. Both the duration and magnitude of adenosine signaling in enteric neuromuscular function depend on its availability, which is regulated by the ecto-enzymes ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and ecto-adenosine deaminase (ADA) and by dipyridamole-sensitive equilibrative transporters (ENTs). Our purpose was to assess the involvement of CD73, APs, ecto-ADA in the formation of AMP-derived adenosine in primary cultures of ileal myofibroblasts (IMFs).

Adenosine-mediated enteric neuromuscular function is affected during herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of rat enteric nervous system.

Adenosine plays an important role in regulating intestinal motility and inflammatory processes. Previous studies in rodent models have demonstrated that adenosine metabolism and signalling are altered during chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases. However, the involvement of the adenosinergic system in the pathophysiology of gut dysmotility associated to a primary neurodysfunction is still unclear.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of the rat enteric nervous system evokes small-bowel neuromuscular abnormalities.

Background & Aims: Infectious agents, such as neurotropic viruses, are proposed to disrupt the enteric neuromuscular system, leading to dysmotility, although the mechanisms are unknown. Our purpose was to assess whether herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) establishes an enteric-neuronal infection and induces gut dysmotility.

Methods: Rats were inoculated with HSV-1 intranasally and after 4 weeks intragastrically.

Cyclic AMP in rat ileum: evidence for the presence of an extracellular cyclic AMP-adenosine pathway.

Background & Aims: Extracellular adenosine plays a relevant role in regulating intestinal motility and preventing inflammatory processes. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) extruded from cells may be converted to adenosine monophosphate and then to adenosine by ecto-phosphodiesterase and CD73/ecto-5'nucleotidase, respectively, thus representing a source of adenosine. Our purpose was to assess the existence of a functional extracellular cAMP-adenosine pathway in intestinal tissue, obtaining evidence for CD73 expression and evaluating the effect of cAMP on ileum motility.