Targeting the cannabinoid CB2 receptor to attenuate the progression of motor deficits in LRRK2-transgenic mice

Environmental Factors Exacerbate Parkinsonian Phenotypes in an Asian-Specific Knock-In LRRK2 Risk Variant in Mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting nearly 10 million people worldwide, and for which no cure is currently known. Mutations in the Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, age, as well as environmental factors such as neurotoxin exposure and stress, are known to increase the risk of developing the disease in humans. To investigate the role of a specific Asian variant of the LRRK2 gene to induce susceptibility to stress and trigger PD phenotypes with time, knock-in (KI) mice bearing the human LRRK2 R1628P risk variant have been generated and studied from 2 to 16 months of age in the presence (or absence) of stress insults, including neurotoxin injections and chronic mild stress applied at 3 months of age. Pathophysiological and behavioural phenotypes have been measured at different ages and primary neurons and fibroblast cells were cultured from the KI mouse line and treated with H2O2 to study susceptibility towards oxidative stress in vitro. KI mice displayed specific PD features and these phenotypes were aggravated by environmental stresses. In particular, KI mice developed locomotion impairment and increased constipation. In addition, dopamine-related proteins were dysregulated in KI mice brains: Dopamine transporter (DAT) was decreased in the midbrain and striatum and dopamine levels were increased. Primary fibroblast cells and cortical neurons from KI mice also displayed increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Therefore, the LRRK2 R1628P KI mice are an excellent model to study the progressive development of PD.

Investigation in blood-brain barrier integrity and susceptibility to immune cell penetration in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome

Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a pediatric encephalopathy caused by mutations in Scn1a gene encoding the α1 subunit of the NaV1.1 voltage-gated sodium channel, which lead to early febrile seizures that progress to severe tonic-clonic seizures and several long-term behavioural comorbidities. In the present study, we have investigated whether a possible early deterioration in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may facilitate the infiltration of immune cells to the brain parenchyma, which may contribute to these pathogenic events. In this study, conditional knock-in Scn1a-A1783V mice and their controls were used at the postnatal day (PND25): (i) to compare their levels of several immune cell populations in the bone marrow and blood; and (ii) to analyze several BBB proteins, as well as the occurrence of immune cell infiltration and endogenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) extravasation into the brain parenchyma. Our data revealed an elevation in the number of neutrophils in the blood of DS mice, but not of B- and T-cells, despite the levels of these immune cells were significantly reduced in the bone marrow. The elevated number of blood neutrophils did not apparently originate their infiltration into the hippocampus of DS mice as an immunofluorescence analysis indicated, and the same happened in B- and T-cells. However, the levels of endogenous IgG in this brain structure were significantly elevated in DS mice compared to controls, directly indicating the occurrence of extravasation into the brain parenchyma and indirectly that the BBB in DS mice may be relatively affected, a fact confirmed by the reduction in the levels of BBB-related proteins such as ZO-1 in these mice. In conclusion, our results support the occurrence of certain degree of deterioration in the BBB in DS, which may facilitate the infiltration of immune cells to the brain, then contributing to the pathogenesis in this disease.

Therapeutic Application of Modulators of Endogenous Cannabinoid System in Parkinson's Disease

The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) of the brain plays an important role in the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is involved in the formation of numerous clinical manifestations of the disease by regulating the level of endogenous cannabinoids and changing the activation of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs). Therefore, ECS modulation with new drugs specifically designed for this purpose may be a promising strategy in the treatment of PD. However, fine regulation of the ECS is quite a complex task due to the functional diversity of CBRs in the basal ganglia and other parts of the central nervous system. In this review, the effects of ECS modulators in various experimental models of PD in vivo and in vitro, as well as in patients with PD, are analyzed. Prospects for the development of new cannabinoid drugs for the treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms in PD are presented.

Disease-modifying effects of cannabidiol, β-caryophyllene and their combination in Syn1-Cre/Scn1aWT/A1783V mice, a preclinical model of Dravet syndrome

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been recently approved as an antiseizure agent in Dravet Syndrome (DS), a pediatric epileptic encephalopathy, but CBD could also be active against associated comorbidities. Such associated comorbidities were also attenuated by the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene (BCP). Here, we have compared the efficacy of both compounds and further initiated the analysis of a possible additive effect between both compounds in relation with these comorbidities using two experimental approaches. The first experiment was aimed at comparing the benefits of CBD and BCP, including their combination in conditional knock-in Scn1a-A1783V mice, an experimental model of DS, treated since the postnatal day 10th to 24th. As expected, DS mice showed impairment in limb clasping, delay in the appearance of hindlimb grasp reflex and additional behavioural disturbances (e.g., hyperactivity, cognitive deterioration, social interaction deficits). This behavioural impairment was associated with marked astroglial and microglial reactivities in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampal dentate gyrus. BCP and CBD administered alone were both able to partially attenuate the behavioural disturbances and the glial reactivities, with apparently greater efficacy against glial reactivities obtained with BCP, whereas superior effects in a few specific parameters were obtained when both compounds were combined. In the second experiment, we investigated this additive effect in cultured BV2 cells treated with BCP and/or CBD and stimulated with LPS. As expected, addition of LPS induced a marked increase in several inflammation-related markers (e.g., TLR4, COX-2, iNOS, catalase, TNF-α, IL-1β), as well as elevated Iba-1 immunostaining. Treatment with BCP or CBD attenuated these elevations, but, again and in general, superior results were obtained when both cannabinoids were combined. In conclusion, our results support the interest to continue investigating the combination of BCP and CBD to improve the therapeutic management of DS in relation with their disease-modifying properties.

CB2 receptor in the CNS: from immune and neuronal modulation to behavior

Despite low levels of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) expression in the central nervous system in human and rodents, a growing body of evidence shows CB2R involvement in many processes at the behavioral level, through both immune and neuronal modulations. Recent in vitro and in vivo evidence have highlighted the complex role of CB2R under physiological and inflammatory conditions. Under neuroinflammatory states, its activation seems to protect the brain and its functions, making it a promising target in a wide range of neurological disorders. Here, we provide a complete and updated overview of CB2R function in the central nervous system of rodents, spanning from modulation of immune function in microglia but also in other cell types, to behavior and neuronal activity, in both physiological and neuroinflammatory contexts.

Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice

BACKGROUND

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous group of early onset and progressive neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes, which causes deterioration in cognition, personality, social behavior and language. Around 45% of the cases are characterized by the presence of aggregates of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43.

METHODS

In this study, we have used a murine model of FTD that overexpresses this protein exclusively in the forebrain (under the control of the CaMKIIα promoter) for several biochemical, histological and pharmacological studies focused on the endocannabinoid system.

RESULTS

These mice exhibited at postnatal day 90 (PND90) important cognitive deficits, signs of emotional impairment and disinhibited social behaviour, which were, in most of cases, maintained during the first year of life of these animals. Motor activity was apparently normal, but FTD mice exhibited higher mortality. Their MRI imaging analysis and their ex-vivo histopathological evaluation proved changes compatible with atrophy (loss of specific groups of pyramidal neurons: Ctip2- and NeuN-positive cells) and inflammatory events (astroglial and microglial reactivities) in both cortical (medial prefrontal cortex) and subcortical (hippocampus) structures at PND90 and also at PND365. The analysis of the endocannabinoid system in these mice proved a decrease in the hydrolysing enzyme FAAH in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, with an increase in the synthesizing enzyme NAPE-PLD only in the hippocampus, responses that were accompanied by modest elevations in anandamide and related N-acylethanolamines. The potentiation of these elevated levels of anandamide after the pharmacological inactivation of FAAH with URB597 resulted in a general improvement in behaviour, in particular in cognitive deterioration, associated with the preservation of pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex and the CA1 layer of the hippocampus, and with the reduction of gliosis in both structures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirmed the potential of elevating the endocannabinoid tone as a therapy against TDP-43-induced neuropathology in FTD, limiting glial reactivity, preserving neuronal integrity and improving cognitive, emotional and social deficits.

Neuroprotective effect of engineered Clostridiumbutyricum-pMTL007-GLP-1 on Parkinson's disease mice models via promoting mitophagy

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment and no cure, hence, broadening PD drug spectrum is of great significance. At present, engineered microorganisms are attracting increasing attention. In this study, we constructed an engineered strain of Clostridium butyricum-GLP-1, a C. butyricum (a probiotic) that consistently expresses glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1, a peptide-based hormone with neurological advantage) in anticipation of its use in PD treatment. We further investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of C. butyricum-GLP-1 on PD mice models induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. The results indicated that C. butyricum-GLP-1 could improve motor dysfunction and ameliorate neuropathological changes by increasing TH expression and reducing the expression of α-syn. Moreover, we confirmed that C. butyricum-GLP-1 improved microbiome imbalance of PD mice by decreasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium at the genus level, improved gut integrity, and upregulated the levels of GPR41/43. Surprisingly, we found it could exert its neuroprotective effects via promoting PINK1/Parkin mediated mitophagy and attenuating oxidative stress. Together, our work showed that C. butyricum-GLP-1 improves PD by promoting mitophagy, which provides an alternative therapeutic modality for PD.

Effects of cannabinoids in Parkinson's disease animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

Cannabis has been proposed as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) due to its neuroprotective benefits. However, there has been no rigorous review of preclinical studies to evaluate any potential treatment effect. This systematic review was undertaken to provide evidence in support or against a treatment effect of cannabinoids in animal models of PD.

Methods

Databases were searched for any controlled comparative studies that assessed the effects of any cannabinoid, cannabinoid-based treatment or endocannabinoid transport blocker on behavioural symptoms in PD animal models.

Results

A total of 41 studies were identified to have met the criteria for this review. 14 of these studies were included in meta-analyses of rotarod, pole and open field tests. Meta-analysis of rotarod tests showed a weighted mean difference of 31.63 s for cannabinoid-treated group compared with control. Meta-analysis of pole tests also showed a positive treatment effect, evidenced by a weighted mean difference of -1.51 s for cannabinoid treat group compared with control. However, meta-analysis of open field test demonstrated a standardised mean difference of only 0.36 indicating no benefit.

Conclusion

This review demonstrates cannabinoid treatment effects in alleviating motor symptoms of PD animal models and supports the conduct of clinical trials of cannabis in PD population. However, there is no guarantee of successful clinical translation of this outcome because of the many variables that might have affected the results, such as the prevalent unclear and high risk of bias, the different study methods, PD animal models and cannabinoids used.

The Role of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptors in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease and currently represents a clear unmet medical need. Therefore, novel preventive and therapeutic strategies are needed. Cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptors, one of the components of the endocannabinoid system, can regulate neuroinflammation in PD. Here, we review the current preclinical and clinical studies investigating the CB2 receptors in PD with the aim to clarify if these receptors could have a role in PD. Preclinical data show that CB2 receptors could have a neuroprotective action in PD and that the therapeutic targeting of CB2 receptors could be promising. Indeed, it has been shown that different CB2 receptor-selective agonists exert protective effects in different PD models. Moreover, the alterations in the expression of CB2 receptors observed in brain tissues from PD animal models and PD patients suggest the potential value of CB2 receptors as possible novel biomarkers for PD. However, to date, there is no direct evidence of the role of CB2 receptors in PD. Further studies are strongly needed in order to fully clarify the role of CB2 receptors in PD and thus pave the way to novel possible diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for PD.

Ghrelin and Cannabinoid Functional Interactions Mediated by Ghrelin/CB1 Receptor Heteromers That Are Upregulated in the Striatum From Offspring of Mice Under a High-Fat Diet

There is evidence of ghrelinergic-cannabinoidergic interactions in the central nervous system (CNS) that may impact on the plasticity of reward circuits. The aim of this article was to look for molecular and/or functional interactions between cannabinoid CB₁ and ghrelin GHS-R1a receptors. In a heterologous system and using the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technique we show that human versions of cannabinoid CB₁ and ghrelin GHS-R1a receptors may form macromolecular complexes. Such receptor heteromers have particular properties in terms of CB₁/G_i-mediated signaling and in terms of GHS-R1a-G_q-mediated signaling. On the one hand, just co-expression of CB₁R and GHS-R1a led to impairment of cannabinoid signaling. On the other hand, cannabinoids led to an increase in ghrelin-derived calcium mobilization that was stronger at low concentrations of the CB₁ receptor agonist, arachidonyl-2’-chloroethylamide (ACEA). The expression of CB₁-GHS-R1a receptor complexes in striatal neurons was confirmed by in situ proximity ligation imaging assays. Upregulation of CB₁-GHS-R1a- receptor complexes was found in striatal neurons from siblings of pregnant female mice on a high-fat diet. Surprisingly, the expression was upregulated after treatment of neurons with ghrelin (200 nM) or with ACEA (100 nM). These results help to better understand the complexities underlying the functional interactions of neuromodulators in the reward areas of the brain.

Preclinical investigation of β-caryophyllene as a therapeutic agent in an experimental murine model of Dravet syndrome

Dravet Syndrome (DS) is caused by mutations in the Scn1a gene encoding the α1 subunit of the sodium channel Nav1.1, which results in febrile seizures that progress to severe tonic-clonic seizures and associated comorbidities. Treatment with cannabidiol has been approved for the management of seizures in DS patients, but it appears to be also active against associated comorbidities. In this new study, we have investigated β-caryophyllene (BCP), a cannabinoid with terpene structure that appears to also have a broad-spectrum profile, as a useful therapy against both seizuring activity and progression of associated comorbidities. This has been studied in heterozygous conditional knock-in mice carrying a missense mutation (A1783V) in Scn1a gene expressed exclusively in neurons of the Central Nervous System (Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V), using two experimental approaches. In the first approach, an acute treatment with BCP was effective against seizuring activity induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in wildtype (Scn1a^WT/WT) and also in Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice, with these last animals having a greater susceptibility to PTZ. Such benefits were paralleled by a BCP-induced reduction in PTZ-induced reactive astrogliosis (labelled with GFAP) and microgliosis (labelled with Iba-1) in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampal dentate gyrus, which were visible in both wildtype (Scn1a^WT/WT) and Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice. In the second approach, both genotypes were treated repeatedly with BCP to investigate its effects on several DS comorbidities. Thus, BCP corrected important behavioural abnormalities of Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice (e.g. delayed appearance of hindlimb grasp reflex, induction of clasping response, motor hyperactivity, altered social interaction and memory impairment), attenuated weight loss, and slightly delayed premature mortality. Again, these benefits were paralleled by a BCP-induced reduction in reactive astrogliosis and microgliosis in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampal dentate gyrus typical of Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice. In conclusion, BCP was active in Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice against seizuring activity (acute treatment) and against several comorbidities (repeated treatment), in both cases in association with its capability to reduce glial reactivity in areas related to these behavioural abnormalities. This situates BCP in a promising position for further preclinical evaluation towards a close translation to DS patients.

Identification of the Ghrelin and Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Heteromer Functionality and Marked Upregulation in Striatal Neurons from Offspring of Mice under a High-Fat Diet

Cannabinoids have been reported as orexigenic, i.e., as promoting food intake that, among others, is controlled by the so-called “hunger” hormone, ghrelin. The aim of this paper was to look for functional and/or molecular interactions between ghrelin GHSR1a and cannabinoid CB₂ receptors at the central nervous system (CNS) level. In a heterologous system we identified CB₂-GHSR1a receptor complexes with a particular heteromer print consisting of impairment of CB₂ receptor/G_i-mediated signaling. The blockade was due to allosteric interactions within the heteromeric complex as it was reverted by antagonists of the GHSR1a receptor. Cannabinoids acting on the CB₂ receptor did not affect cytosolic increases of calcium ions induced by ghrelin acting on the GHSR1a receptor. In situ proximity ligation imaging assays confirmed the expression of CB₂-GHSR1a receptor complexes in both heterologous cells and primary striatal neurons. We tested heteromer expression in neurons from offspring of high-fat-diet mouse mothers as they have more risk to be obese. Interestingly, there was a marked upregulation of those complexes in striatal neurons from siblings of pregnant female mice under a high-fat diet.

Untapped endocannabinoid pharmacological targets: Pipe dream or pipeline?

It has been established that the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system plays key modulatory roles in a wide variety of pathological conditions. The endocannabinoid system comprises both cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands including 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA), and enzymes that regulate the synthesis and degradation of endogenous ligands which include diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGL-α), diacylglycerol lipase beta (DAGL-β), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), α/β hydrolase domain 6 (ABHD6). As the endocannabinoid system exerts considerable involvement in the regulation of homeostasis and disease, much effort has been made towards understanding endocannabinoid-related mechanisms of action at cellular, physiological, and pathological levels as well as harnessing the various components of the endocannabinoid system to produce novel therapeutics. However, drug discovery efforts within the cannabinoid field have been slower than anticipated to reach satisfactory clinical endpoints and raises an important question into the validity of developing novel ligands that therapeutically target the endocannabinoid system. To answer this, we will first examine evidence that supports the existence of an endocannabinoid system role within inflammatory diseases, neurodegeneration, pain, substance use disorders, mood disorders, as well as metabolic diseases. Next, this review will discuss recent clinical studies, within the last 5 years, of cannabinoid compounds in context to these diseases. We will also address some of the challenges and considerations within the cannabinoid field that may be important in the advancement of therapeutics into the clinic.

The Neuroprotective Properties, Functions, and Roles of Cannabis sativa in Selected Diseases Related to the Nervous System

BACKGROUND

Cannabis and its extracts are now being explored due to their huge health benefits. Although, the effect they elicit, whether on humans or rodents, may vary based on the age of the animal/subject and or the time in which the extract is administered. However, several debates exist concerning the various medical applications of these compounds. Nonetheless, their applicability as therapeutics should not be clouded based on their perceived negative biological actions.

METHODS

Articles from reliable databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Ovid were searched. Specific search methods were employed using multiple keywords: ''Medicinal Cannabis; endocannabinoid system; cannabinoids receptors; cannabinoids and cognition; brain disorders; neurodegenerative diseases''. For the inclusion/exclusion criteria, only relevant articles related to medicinal Cannabis and its various compounds were considered.

RESULTS

The current review highlights the role, effects, and involvement of Cannabis, cannabinoids, and endocannabinoids in preventing selected neurodegenerative diseases and possible amelioration of cognitive impairments. Furthermore, it also focuses on Cannabis utilization in many disease conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease among others.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the usage of Cannabis should be further explored as accumulating evidence suggests that it could be effective and somewhat safe, especially when adhered to the recommended dosage. Furthermore, in-depth studies should be conducted in order to unravel the specific mechanism underpinning the involvement of cannabinoids at the cellular level and their therapeutic applications.

Neuropathological Characterization of a Dravet Syndrome Knock-In Mouse Model Useful for Investigating Cannabinoid Treatments

Dravet syndrome (DS) is an epileptic syndrome caused by mutations in the Scn1a gene encoding the α1 subunit of the sodium channel Nav1.1, which is associated with febrile seizures that progress to severe tonic-clonic seizures and associated comorbidities. Treatment with cannabidiol has been approved to reduce seizures in DS, but it may also be active against these comorbidities. The aim of this study was to validate a new mouse model of DS having lower mortality than previous models, which may serve to further evaluate therapies for the long-term comorbidities. This new model consists of heterozygous conditional knock-in mice carrying a missense mutation (A1783V) in Scn1a gene expressed exclusively in neurons of the CNS (Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V). These mice have been used here to determine the extent and persistence of the behavioral deterioration in different postnatal days (PND), as well as to investigate the alterations that the disease produces in the endocannabinoid system and the contribution of inflammatory events and impaired neurogenesis in the pathology. Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice showed a strong reduction in hindlimb grasp reflex at PND10, whereas at PND25, they presented spontaneous convulsions and a greater susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures, marked hyperactivity, deficient spatial working memory, lower levels of anxiety, and altered social interaction behavior. These differences disappeared at PND40 and PND60, except the changes in social interaction and anxiety. The analysis of CNS structures associated with these behavioral alterations revealed an elevated glial reactivity in the prefrontal cortex and the dentate gyrus. This was associated in the dentate gyrus with a greater cell proliferation detected with Ki67 immunostaining, whereas double-labeling analyses identified that proliferating cells were GFAP-positive suggesting failed neurogenesis but astrocyte proliferation. The analysis of the endocannabinoid system of Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice confirmed reductions in CB₁ receptors and MAGL and FAAH enzymes, mainly in the cerebellum but also in other areas, whereas CB₂ receptors became upregulated in the hippocampus. In conclusion, Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice showed seizuring susceptibility and several comorbidities (hyperactivity, memory impairment, less anxiety, and altered social behavior), which exhibited a pattern of age expression similar to DS patients. Syn-Cre/Scn1a^WT/A1783V mice also exhibited greater glial reactivity and a reactive response in the neurogenic niche, and regional changes in the status of the endocannabinoid signaling, events that could contribute in behavioral impairment.

Recent Advances in the Potential of Cannabinoids for Neuroprotection in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Diseases

Three prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's are in need of symptomatic relief of slowing disease progression or both. This chapter focuses on the potential of cannabinoids to afford neuroprotection, i.e. avoid or retard neuronal death. The neuroprotective potential of cannabinoids is known from the work in animal models and is mediated by the two cannabinoid receptors (CB₁/CB₂) and eventually, by their heteromers, GPR55, orphan receptors (GPR3/GPR6/GPR12/GPR18), or PPARγ. Now, there is the time to translate the findings into patients. The chapter takes primarily into account advances since 2016 and addresses the issue of proving neuroprotection in humans. One recent discovery is the existence of activated microglia with neuroprotective phenotype; cannabinoids are good candidates to skew phenotype, especially via glial CB₂ receptors (CB₂R), whose targeting has, a priori, less side effects those targeting the CBs₁ receptor (CB₁R), which are expressed in both neurons and glia. The fact that a cannabis extract (SativexTM) is approved for human therapy, such that cannabis use will likely be legalized in many countries and different possibilities that cannabinoid pharmacology suggests a successful route of cannabinoids (natural or synthetic) all the way to be approved and used in the treatment of neurodegeneration.

Expression of GPR55 and either cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 heteroreceptor complexes in the caudate, putamen, and accumbens nuclei of control, parkinsonian, and dyskinetic non-human primates

Endocannabinoids are neuromodulators acting on specific cannabinoid CB₁ and CB₂ G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), representing potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabinoids also regulate the activity of GPR55, a recently "deorphanized" GPCR that directly interacts with CB₁ and with CB₂ receptors. Our hypothesis is that these heteromers may be taken as potential targets for Parkinson's disease (PD). This work aims at assessing the expression of heteromers made of GPR55 and CB₁/CB₂ receptors in the striatum of control and parkinsonian macaques (with and without levodopa-induced dyskinesia). For this purpose, double blind in situ proximity ligation assays, enabling the detection of GPCR heteromers in tissue samples, were performed in striatal sections of control, MPTP-treated and MPTP-treated animals rendered dyskinetic by chronic treatment with levodopa. Image analysis and statistical assessment were performed using dedicated software. We have previously demonstrated the formation of heteromers between GPR55 and CB₁ receptor (CB₁-GPR55_Hets), which is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), but also with the CB₂ receptor (CB₂-GPR55_Hets). Compared to the baseline expression of CB₁-GPR55_Hets in control animals, our results showed increased expression levels in basal ganglia input nuclei of MPTP-treated animals. These observed increases in CB₁-GPR55_Hets returned back to baseline levels upon chronic treatment with levodopa in dyskinetic animals. Obtained data regarding CB₂-GPR55_Hets were quite similar, with somehow equivalent amounts in control and dyskinetic animals, and with increased expression levels in MPTP animals. Taken together, the detected increased expression of GPR55-endocannabinoid heteromers appoints these GPCR complexes as potential non-dopaminergic targets for PD therapy.

Development of An Oral Treatment with the PPAR-γ-Acting Cannabinoid VCE-003.2 Against the Inflammation-Driven Neuronal Deterioration in Experimental Parkinson's Disease

In a recent study, we described the neuroprotective properties of VCE-003.2—an aminoquinone derivative of the non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG)—administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) in an inflammatory model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We also demonstrated that these properties derive from its activity on the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, in particular at a regulatory site within this receptor type. In the present study, we wanted to further confirm this neuroprotective potential using an oral lipid formulation of VCE-003.2, developed to facilitate the clinical development of this phytocannabinoid derivative. To this end, we evaluated VCE-003.2, administered orally at two doses (10 and 20 mg/kg), to mice subjected to unilateral intrastriatal injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a classic model of inflammation-driven neuronal deterioration that recapitulates characteristics of PD. The administration of VCE-003.2 to these mice showed, as expected, poor activity in the different motor tests (rotarod, computer-aided actimeter) used in experimental parkinsonism, in general due to the lack of evident changes in these behaviors by LPS lesion. However, VCE-003.2, at 20 mg/kg, was highly active in improving the changes detected in LPS-lesioned mice in the cylinder rearing test. In addition, the histopathological analysis of the basal ganglia revealed a trend towards recovery at 20 mg/kg VCE-003.2 in the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-containing nigrostriatal neurons, as well as a complete reduction in the elevated LAMP-1 immunolabeling (reflecting autophagy impairment) caused by LPS lesion. These effects were not seen at 10 mg/kg. This was associated with a partial reduction in the intense glial reactivity provoked by LPS in the substantia nigra, in particular the astroglial reactivity labeled with glial fibrillary acidic protein. The analysis using qPCR in the striatum of proinflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, showed that the marked elevations provoked by the LPS lesion tended to be, in general, attenuated by VCE-003.2 treatment, with the greatest effects normally found with the highest dose of 20 mg/kg. In summary, our data confirm the neuroprotective potential of an oral formulation of VCE-003.2 against neuronal injury in an in vivo model of PD based on neuroinflammation, and this study opens the possibility to further the development of oral VCE-003.2 in the clinic.

Cannabinoid receptor as a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons from substantia nigra pars compacta of basal ganglia caused due to gene mutation, misfolded protein aggregation, reactive oxygen species generation and inflammatory stress. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons results in muscle stiffness, uncoordinated body movements, sleep disturbance, fatigue, amnesia and impaired voice. Currently, levodopa (L-DOPA) administration is the most widely used therapy for PD. But prolonged administration of L-DOPA is associated with the symptoms of dyskinesia. However, emerging evidences suggest the role of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) in curtailing the progression of PD by activating neuroprotective pathways. Hence, cannabinoid therapy could be a promising alternative to combat PD in future. In the present review we have discussed the potential role of CBRs in attenuating the key mechanisms of PD and how the existing research gaps needs to be bridged in order to understand the molecular mechanism of CBRs in detail.

The Role of Lipids in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal pathway, formation of Lewy bodies, and microgliosis. During the past decades multiple cellular pathways have been associated with PD pathology (i.e., oxidative stress, endosomal-lysosomal dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and immune response), yet disease-modifying treatments are not available. We have recently used genetic data from familial and sporadic cases in an unbiased approach to build a molecular landscape for PD, revealing lipids as central players in this disease. Here we extensively review the current knowledge concerning the involvement of various subclasses of fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols, and lipoproteins in PD pathogenesis. Our review corroborates a central role for most lipid classes, but the available information is fragmented, not always reproducible, and sometimes differs by sex, age or PD etiology of the patients. This hinders drawing firm conclusions about causal or associative effects of dietary lipids or defects in specific steps of lipid metabolism in PD. Future technological advances in lipidomics and additional systematic studies on lipid species from PD patient material may improve this situation and lead to a better appreciation of the significance of lipids for this devastating disease.

Therapeutic applications of cannabinoids

The psychoactive property of cannabinoids is well known and there has been a continuous controversy regarding the usage of these compounds for therapeutic purposes all over the world. Their use for medical and research purposes are restricted in various countries. However, their utility as medications should not be overshadowed by its negative physiological activities. This review article is focused on the therapeutic potential and applications of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids. We further highlights their mode of action, overall effects on physiology, various in vitro and in vivo studies that have been done so far and the extent to which these compounds can be useful in different disease conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, pain, inflammation, glaucoma and many others. Thus, this work is an attempt to make the readers understand the positive implications of these compounds and indicates the significant developments of utilizing cannabinoids as therapeutic agents.

Parkinson's disease: experimental models and reality

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive movement disorder of adults and the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathologic diagnosis of PD requires moderate-to-marked neuronal loss in the ventrolateral substantia nigra pars compacta and α-synuclein (αS) Lewy body pathology. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration correlates with the Parkinsonian motor features, but involvement of other peripheral and central nervous system regions leads to a wide range of non-motor features. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration is shared with other parkinsonian disorders, including some genetic forms of parkinsonism, but many of these disorders do not have Lewy bodies. An ideal animal model for PD, therefore, should exhibit age-dependent and progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration, motor dysfunction, and abnormal αS pathology. Rodent models of PD using genetic or toxin based strategies have been widely used in the past several decades to investigate the pathogenesis and therapeutics of PD, but few recapitulate all the major clinical and pathologic features of PD. It is likely that new strategies or better understanding of fundamental disease processes may facilitate development of better animal models. In this review, we highlight progress in generating rodent models of PD based on impairments of four major cellular functions: mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, autophagy-lysosomal metabolism, ubiquitin-proteasome protein degradation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress/unfolded protein response. We attempt to evaluate how impairment of these major cellular systems contribute to PD and how they can be exploited in rodent models. In addition, we review recent cell biological studies suggesting a link between αS aggregation and impairment of nuclear membrane integrity, as observed during cellular models of apoptosis. We also briefly discuss the role of incompetent phagocytic clearance and how this may be a factor to consider in developing new rodent models of PD.

Endocannabinoid system in neurodegenerative disorders

Most neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are characterized by cognitive impairment and other neurological defects. The definite cause of and pathways underlying the progression of these NDDs are not well-defined. Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to the development of NDDs. These mechanisms may proceed concurrently or successively, and they differ among cell types at different developmental stages in distinct brain regions. The endocannabinoid system, which involves cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1R) and type 2 (CB2R), endogenous cannabinoids and the enzymes that catabolize these compounds, has been shown to contribute to the development of NDDs in several animal models and human studies. In this review, we discuss the functions of the endocannabinoid system in NDDs and converse the therapeutic efficacy of targeting the endocannabinoid system to rescue NDDs.

Targeting LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease: an update on recent developments

INTRODUCTION

LRRK2 research has progressed significantly in recent years with more reports of LRRK2 interactors and the development of more specific and sophisticated LRRK2 kinase inhibitors. Identification of bone fide LRRK2 substrates will provide new therapeutic targets in LRRK2-linked Parkinson's disease (PD). Areas covered: This review aims to put current LRRK2 research into perspective. Beginning with recent LRRK2 mammalian models employed for in vivo validation of LRRK2 substrates, followed by updates on reported LRRK2 interactors and their inferred mechanisms. Finally an overview of commonly used LRRK2 kinase inhibitors will be depicted. Expert opinion: Identification of LRRK2 non-kinase functions suggests the possibility of alternative LRRK2 drug target sites and these should be further explored. Studies on the effects of LRRK2 kinase inhibition on its non-kinase function and its self-regulatory role will provide further insights on its pathophysiologic mechanisms. Development of robust measurements of LRRK2 inhibitor efficacy will be required. These would include identification of specific imaging ligands or direct biochemical assays that can accurately capture its intrinsic activity. Testing of new therapeutic drug targets in both LRRK2 carriers and non LRRK2-linked patients will be important since their phenotype is similar.

Allodynia Lowering Induced by Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids (ALICE)

Neuropathic pain is a neurological disorder that strongly affects the quality of life of patients. The molecular and cellular mechanisms at the basis of the neuropathic pain establishment still need to be clarified. Among the neuromodulators that play a role in the pathological pain pathways, endocannabinoids could be deeply involved in both neuronal and non-neuronal mechanisms responsible for the appearance of tactile allodynia. Indeed, the function and dysfunction of this complex system in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of chronic pain induction and maintenance have been widely studied over the last two decades. In this review article, we highlighted the possible modulation of the endocannabinoid system in the neuronal, glial and microglial modulation in neuropathic pain treatment.