Inhibition of human T-cell rosette formation by the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine hydrochloride (EHNA)

Mononuclear cell surface markers from normal human volunteers were tested in the presence of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine hydrochloride (EHNA). Only the T-cell surface marker, formation of rosettes with sheep red blood cells, was significantly inhibited by concentrations of EHNA in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolic compartmentalization of adenosine compounds at the site of nucleoside transport across the cell membrane may play an important role in determining T-cell rosette formation and whether or not the blastogenic response of these cells to environmental mitogens will occur.