Regulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) in cultured cortical astrocytes by different inflammatory factors

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (e-5NT) is a cell-surface located, rate-limiting enzyme in the extracellular metabolism of ATP, catalyzing the final step of the conversion of AMP to adenosine. Since this enzyme shifts the balance from pro-inflammatory ATP to anti-inflammatory adenosine, it is considered to be an important regulator of inflammation. Although up-regulation of e-5NT was repeatedly reported in several in vivo models of brain injury, the regulation of its expression and function remains largely unknown. We have studied effects of several pro-inflammatory factors, namely, bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), glutamate (Glu) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on e-5NT (i) activity, (ii) mRNA expression and (iii) membrane protein abundance in primary cultured cortical astrocytes. We are clearly able to demonstrate a stimulus-specific regulation of the e-5NT pathway. IFN-γ, LPS, Glu and H(2)O(2) decrease, while TNF-α increases e-5NT activity. The analysis of e-5NT gene expression and e-5NT membrane protein levels revealed that tested factors regulate e-5NT at different levels and by employing different mechanisms. In summary, we provide evidence that e-5NT activity is tightly regulated in a stimulus-specific manner.