Dictionary of Allergies .. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Adenosine triphosphate and  Adenylcyclase. ATP has been shown to induce PAF production by cultural endothelial cells, while ADP induces production of an endothelium-derived relaxation factor (EDRF), which most likely represents nitric oxide (NO). ATP has been implicated as a mediator responsible for some forms of cell-mediated cytolytic killing. Both ADP and ATP are potent vasoactive agents and are able to induce vasodilatation when vessels possess intact endothelium, secondary to NO formation. Asthmatics with damaged epithelium exhibit hyperresponsiveness to inhaled adenosine, possibly as a result of reduced NO production.

References

Pearson J, Gordon J. Vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells in culture selectively release adenine nucleotides. Nature 1979;281:384-6.