A3 adenosine receptor: Pharmacology and role in disease

Abstract

The study of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) represents a rapidly growing and intense area of research in the adenosine field. The present chapter will provide an overview of the expression patterns, molecular pharmacology and functional role of this A3AR subtype under pathophysiological conditions. Through studies utilizing selective A 3AR agonists and antagonists, or A3AR knockout mice, it is now clear that this receptor plays a critical role in the modulation of ischemic diseases as well as in inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies. Therefore, the potential therapeutic use of agonists and antagonists will also be described. The discussion will principally address the use of such compounds in the treatment of brain and heart ischemia, asthma, sepsis and glaucoma. The final part concentrates on the molecular basis of A3ARs in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and includes a description of clinical trials with the selective agonist CF101. Based on this chapter, it is evident that continued research to discover agonists and antagonists for the A 3AR subtype is warranted. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.