Vol. 304, Issue 1, 342-348, January 2003

Presence of Diadenosine Polyphosphates in the Aqueous Humor: Their Effect on Intraocular Pressure

Jesús Pintor, Assumpta Peral, Teresa Peláez, Silvia Martín and Charles H. V. Hoyle

Departamento de Bioquimica (J.P., T.P., S.M.) and Departamento de Óptica (A.P.), Escuela Universitaria de Óptica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology (C.H.V.H.), University College London, London, United Kingdom

Adenine dinucleotides are present in many biological systems and may serve as physiological regulators of processes such as neurotransmitter release, vascular tone or corneal hydration. The presence of diadenosine polyphosphates was investigated in New Zealand White rabbit aqueous humor. Diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap₄A) and diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap₅A) were identified and quantified in the aqueous humor with concentrations of 0.34 ± 0.1 and 0.08 ± 0.01 µM, respectively. The effects of topical corneal application of diadenosine pyrophosphate (Ap₂A), diadenosine triphosphate (Ap₃A), Ap₄A, and Ap₅A on intraocular pressure in rabbits were also studied. Ap₂A, Ap₃A, and Ap₅A increased intraocular pressure with threshold doses of approximately 0.1 to 1.0 µg · 10 µl¹. Ap₄A decreased intraocular pressure with an IC₅₀ value of 0.12 µg · 10 µl¹ (or 0.13 nmol). Cross-desensitization studies suggested the activation of a P2X receptor for the hypotensive effect of Ap₄A and a P2Y receptor in the case of Ap₅A. The ATP receptor antagonists (all 100 µg · 10 µl¹), pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), suramin, and reactive blue 2 (RB-2) alone had no effect on intraocular pressure but attenuated responses to diadenosine polyphosphates by approximately 80%. It is concluded that Ap₂A, Ap₃A, and Ap₅A increase intraocular pressure, and Ap₄A decreases intraocular pressure via mechanisms that involve P2 receptors, and that Ap₄A present in aqueous humor may serve to regulate intraocular pressure. Furthermore, we suggest that topical application of Ap₄A to the cornea has therapeutic potential for lowering intraocular pressure, a major risk factor for glaucoma.