Differential inhibition of lymphocyte function by 2-chloroadenosine.

The effects of 2-chloroadenosine, a poorly metabolized adenosine analogue, on some human lymphocyte functions were studied. Mixed lymphocyte responses were strongly inhibited by very low concentrations of 2-chloroadenosine. The mitogen-induced proliferation of human lymphocytes was also generally suppressed by 2-chloroadenosine in a dose dependent manner. Blastogenesis induced by Con A and PWM was severely inhibited by low doses of 2-chloroadenosine while its inhibition of that induced by PHA was less marked. Natural killer cell activity was inhibited only about 55% by high concentrations of 2-chloroadenosine. These results suggested that many subsets of human lymphocytes are controlled by adenosine receptor.