N6-isopentenyladenosine affects cytotoxic activity and cytokines production by IL-2 activated NK cells and exerts topical anti-inflammatory activity in mice.

N6-isopentenyladenosine (iPA) is a modified adenosine with an isopentenyl moiety derived from the mevalonate pathway which displays pleiotropic biological effects, including anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activity. Previous evidence revealed a biphasic effect of iPA on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes, being pro-proliferative at low doses and anti-proliferative at high doses. Analogously, we have recently shown that low iPA concentrations (<1μM) increased the immune response of natural killer (NK) cells against cancer targets. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of iPA at high concentration (10μM) on IL-2-activated NK cells. iPA, inhibited NK cell proliferation and cytotoxicity against their conventional tumor target, human K562 cells. This inhibition was associated with decreased expression and functionality of NK cell activating receptors NKp44 and NKG2D as well as impaired cyto/chemokines secretion (RANTES, MIP-1α, TNF-α and IFN-γ). ERK/MAPK and STAT5 activation in IL-2-activated NK cells were inhibited by iPA. The results obtained in vitro were validated in vivo in the inflammatory murine model of croton oil-induced ear dermatitis. The topical application of iPA significantly reduced mouse ear oedema, thus suggesting anti-inflammatory properties of this molecule. These results show the ability of iPA to exert anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo directly targeting NK cells, providing a novel pharmacological tool in those diseases characterized by a deregulated immune-response, such as cancer or inflammatory conditions.