A3 adenosine receptor subtype specific antagonists for alteration of eosinophil properties

摘要

There are described A3 adenosine receptor subtype specific antagonists (especially xanthine derivatives) which, when contacted with eosinophils, have at least one of the following effects on the biological properties of the eosinophil: (i) decrease in intracellular cAMP; (ii) blockage of activation; (iii) prevention of A3 adenosine receptor subtype inhibition of adenylate cyclase; (iv) blockage of cytokine-induced hypersensitivity. The antagonists may be used in the therapy of allergic and inflammatory states. There are also disclosed nucleic acid sequences for use as an in situ hybridization probe, or as a primer for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis in the identification of a specific adenosine receptor subtype.