Influence of adenosine deaminase inhibition on the phosphoinositide turnover in the initial stages of human T cell activation.

An experimental model of adenosine deaminase deficiency was established on the human T cell line Jurkat by using 2'-deoxycoformycin, a strong specific inhibitor of the enzyme. When deoxyadenosine was added to the inhibited cells, the nucleotide profile was modified reproducing that found in lymphocytes from adenosine deaminase-deficient children. The metabolism of phosphoinositides, analyzed by either the release of [3H]inositol phosphates or the breakdown of 32P-prelabeled phosphatidyl inositides, was compared in normal and modified cells where dATP was accumulated. No modification in 32P labeling of phosphoinositides was detectable within the 32P-loading period. However, when the cells were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, the phosphoinositide hydrolysis was strongly reduced in the dATP-containing lymphoblasts. This decrease was correlated with the intracellular dATP concentration.