Cytomegalovirus infection increases the expression and activity of ecto-ATPase (CD39) and ecto-5 ' nucleotidase (CD73) on endothelial cells

We describe enhanced expression and enzymatic activity of ecto-ATPase and ecto-5' nucleotidase on CMV infected endothelial cells as compared to uninfected cells, These ectoenzymes play a major role in modulation of platelet activation and aggregation. Furthermore, adenosine has a modulatory effect upon inflammation. Addition of ATP, ADP or AMP to cultures of CMV infected or uninfected endothelial cells revealed increased turnover of AMP in CMV infected endothelial cells. in addition, the superoxide production by stimulated polymorphonuclear cells was inhibited in the presence of CMV infected endothelial cells as compared to uninfected cells, probably due to the enhanced activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase and associated to production of adenosine. (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.