Adenosine receptor A3 is a protein in humans that is encoded by ADORA3 gene. Adenosine A3 receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that couple to Gi/Gq and are involved in a variety of intracellular signaling pathways and physiological functions. It mediates a sustained cardioprotective function during cardiac ischemia, it is involved in the inhibition of neutrophil degranulation in neutrophil-mediated tissue injury, it has been implicated in both neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects, and it may also mediate both cell proliferation and cell death[citation needed]. Recent publications demonstrate that adenosine A3 receptor antagonists could have therapeutic potential in bronchial asthma.