Adenosine receptors and wound healing, revised

Recent studies have demonstrated that application of topical adenosine A2A receptor agonists promotes more rapid wound closure and clinical studies are currently underway to determine the utility of topical A2A adenosine receptor agonists in the therapy of diabetic foot ulcers. The effects of adenosine A2A receptors on the cells and tissues of healing wounds have only recently been explored. Here we summarize the evidence indicating that adenosine and selective adenosine agonists, acting at A2A receptors, promote the salutary functions of inflammatory cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts in stimulating wound healing.