Selectivity is species-dependent: Characterization of standard agonists and antagonists at human, rat, and mouse adenosine receptors.

Adenosine receptors (ARs) have emerged as new drug targets. The majority of data on affinity/potency and selectivity of AR ligands described in the literature has been obtained for the human species. However, preclinical studies are mostly performed in mouse or rat, and standard AR agonists and antagonists are frequently used for studies in rodents without knowing their selectivity in the investigated species.