The human astroglioma cell D384 possesses adenosine A2B receptors coupled to the formation of cyclic AMP. These cells also possess bradykinin B2 receptors coupled to phospholipase C and consequent increases in intracellular calcium and protein kinase C. Interleukin 1 beta causes an increase in c-fos, AP-1 transcriptional activity and an increased expression of several genes including NGF, but the initial signalling events are unknown. Bradykinin causes a rapid decrease in A2B receptor mediated cAMP formation, via a mechanism that involves calcium, but not cGMP, and appears to depend upon a direct decrease in adenylyl cyclase. Il-1 beta causes a slowly developing (18-24 h) increase in A2B receptor signalling. The results indicate that adenosine effects in glial cells, believed to be important in neuroprotection, are modified in the short and long-term by inflammatory mediators.