Differential expression of 5'-UTR splice variants of the adenosine A2A receptor gene in human granulocytes: identification, characterization, and functional impact on activation.

A key step in the pathogenesis of sepsis is the excessive and uncontrolled activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). An inflammation-controlling function of adenosine receptors has been presumed; however, their role in PMN of sepsis patients is poorly defined. We investigated the expression of adenosine receptors in resting and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -activated human PMNs, and in PMNs of sepsis patients.