Regulation of beta-adrenergic response in human lymphocytes: agonist induced subsensitivity.

The concentration of intracellular cAMP in lymphocytes is regulated by isoproterenol and PGE1. Preincubation of lymphocytes with isoproterenol leads to a loss of the response to beta-adrenergic agents but not to PGE1. Preincubation of lymphocytes with PGE1, however, affects the sensitivities both to isoproterenol and PGE1. A decrease of beta-adrenergic receptors was found in cells preincubated with isoproterenol but not with PGE1. Part of the abnormalities associated with PGE1-preincubated cells can be restored by treating the cells with theophylline.