The purine nucleoside adenosine has established anti-inflammatory effects whilst also being reported to promote organ fibrosis by signaling through the adenosine A2a and A2b receptors (encoded by the Adora2a and Adora2b genes, respectively). The adenosine A2b receptor has low affinity and is only activated by adenosine concentrations achieved during organ injury. We reasoned that these properties would render the adenosine A2b receptor a promising candidate to target in the development of a kidney antifibrotic therapy.
Syeda et al. (2026) studied this question.