Adenosine triphophate (ATP), substantially liberated from the injured cells, activates the inflammatory cells to secrete various inflammatory factors, thus triggering uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response and thrombosis with aggravating the degree of damage. Metabolic pathway of adenosine consists of adenosine (Ado) synthase CD39-CD73, nucleoside transporters (NTs) and termination system of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and adenosine kinase (ADK). As a " switch” of the inflammatory response, the metabolic pathway converts ATP (the pro-inflammatory cytokines) to Ado (the anti-inflammatory mediators), maintaining the homeostasis between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory as well as affecting the outcome of the injury. This review focused on the recent progress of adenosine metabolic pathway in cell injury.
