ADONIS is an agonist-like monoclonal antibody directed against an epitope located on the second extracellular loop of the A2A receptor of adenosine.
Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside produced in and on the surface of numerous cells by ATP degradation. Its production increases under conditions of hypoxia and ischemia. The action of adenosine on its A2A receptor has a vasodilatory effect on the vessels, in particular on the coronary arteries, and an anti-inflammatory effect on the lymphocytes. This receptor is expressed on many cardiac and immune cells, including lymphocytes, where its variation of expression reflects that of the injured heart and coronary tissues