Differential gene expression in activated microglia treated with adenosine A2A antagonists and A3 receptor agonists. A transcriptomics study.

Microglial activation often accompanies the plastic changes occurring in the brain of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. A2A and A3 adenosine receptors have been proposed as therapeutic targets to combat neurodegeneration. RNAseq was performed using samples isolated from lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ activated microglia treated with SCH 58261, a selective A2A receptor antagonist and 2-Cl-IB-MECA, a selective A3 receptor agonist. Cells were maintained in a humid atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37ºC and were used for RNA extraction after 15 days of culture. Cells were activated for 48 h with 0.01% (v/v) LPS and 0.002% (v/v) IFN-γ in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium and, at 24, 32 and 40 h, vehicle or 200 nM 2-Cl-IB-MECA was added.