Inflammation is a complex process that implies the interaction between cells and molecular mediators, which, when not properly "tuned," can lead to disease. When
inflammation affects the eye, it can produce severe disorders affecting the superficial and internal parts of the visual organ. The
nucleoside adenosine and
nucleotides including
adenine mononucleotides like
ADP and
ATP and dinucleotides such as P(1),P(4)-diadenosine tetraphosphate (
Ap4A), and P(1),P(5)-diadenosine pentaphosphate (
Ap5A) are present in different ocular locations and therefore they may contribute/modulate inflammatory processes.
Adenosine receptors, in particular A2A
adenosine receptors, present anti-inflammatory action in acute and chronic
retinal inflammation. Regarding the A3 receptor, selective agonists like
N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)-5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine (
CF101) have been used for the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic diseases such as
dry eye and uveoretinitis. Sideways, diverse stimuli (sensory stimulation, large intraocular pressure increases) can produce a release of
ATP from ocular sensory innervation or after injury to ocular tissues. Then,
ATP will activate
purinergic P2 receptors present in sensory nerve endings, the iris, the ciliary body, or other tissues surrounding the anterior chamber of the eye to produce
uveitis/
endophthalmitis. In summary,
adenosine and
nucleotides can activate receptors in ocular structures susceptible to suffer from inflammatory processes. This involvement suggests the possible use of
purinergic agonists and antagonists as therapeutic targets for ocular
inflammation.