Methods for Using Modulators of Extracellular Adenosine or an Adenosine Receptor To Enhance Immune Response and Inflammation

Local inflammation processes are crucially important in the host defense against pathogens and for successful immunization because proinflammatory cytokines are necessary for initiation and propagation of an immune response. However, normal inflammatory responses are eventually terminated by physiological termination mechanisms, thereby limiting the strength and duration of immune responses, especially to weak antigens. The inventors have shown that adenosine A2a and A3a receptors play a critical role in down-regulation of inflammation in vivo. They act as the physiological termination mechanism that can limit the immune response. Thus, a method was developed for inhibiting signaling through the adenosine receptor to prolong and intensify the immune response. The method involves administering either an adenosine-degrading drug or an adenosine receptor agonist. These compounds can be also used as vaccine adjuvants and treatments for accomplishing targeted tissue damage such as for tumor destruction.