Mechanisms of regulation of inflammation in articular joint cells. The main current focus is on receptors that bind adenosine and related molecules. Adenosine binds four separate G-protein linked purine receptors. In articular cartilage, we have demonstrated the presence of two of these receptors and shown that one sub-type possesses anti-inflammatory activity. More-over, removal of local adenosine using the enzyme adenosine deaminase potentiates inflammation, suggesting that cell-secreted adenosine may have an immunomodulatory action. A second research interest is the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor family of molecules that possess hylauronidase inhibitory activity.
Visit Dr. Benton's website: http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/hpbenton/