In turn, mice with genetically induced hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis expressed disturbed activities of ecto-5'nucleotidase and ecto-adenosine deaminase related to decreased production and increased degradation of extracellular adenosine.
CD73 (also known as ecto-5'-nucleotidase) is a key regulator of cell signaling in response to inflammation and hypoxia, and may be important in the development of atherosclerosis.