Improved survival of SARS COV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice treated with adenosine A(2A)R agonist()

A life-threatening manifestation of Covid-19 infection is a cytokine storm that requires hospitalization and supplemental oxygen. Various strategies to reduce inflammatory cytokines have had some success in limiting cytokine storm and improving survival. Agonists of adenosine A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) reduce cytokine release from most immune cells. Apadenoson is a potent and selective anti-inflammatory adenosine analog that reduces inflammation. When administered by subcutaneous osmotic pumps to mice infected with SARS CoV-2, Apadenoson was found to improve the outcomes of infection as measured by a decrease in weight loss, improved clinical symptoms, reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in bronchial lavage (BAL) fluid, and enhanced survival of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. These results support further examination of A(2A)R agonists as therapies for treating cytokine storm due to COVID-19.