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Rodriguez AL, Qi A, Han A, Kling HE, Quitalig MC, Bender AM, Barbaro L, Whomble D, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM. Characterization of Novel and Known Activators of Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 2 Reveals Mixed Pharmacology That Differentiates Mycophenolate Mofetil and GW-842,166X from MDA7. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:4956. [PMID: 40430094 PMCID: PMC12112332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26104956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2025] [Revised: 05/15/2025] [Accepted: 05/19/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are members of the GPCR superfamily that modulate the effects of endocannabinoids. CB1 is the most abundant CB receptor in the central nervous system, while CB2 is present both peripherally and in the brain. CB2 plays a role in inflammation, as well as neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. To identify new ligands for CB2, we screened a library of FDA-approved drugs for activity at the receptor using a thallium flux assay, resulting in the discovery of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil as a potent, selective activator of CB2. Further characterization of the compound confirmed agonist activity in a variety of complementary assays, including PI hydrolysis, cAMP inhibition, and β-arrestin recruitment. Radioligand binding assays established a non-competitive interaction with the site occupied by [3H]CP55,940. CB2 agonists GW-842,166X and MDA7 were also profiled, revealing that GW-842,166X exhibits a similar activity profile to mycophenolate mofetil, whereas MDA7 presents a distinct profile. These differences provide insight into the complex CB2 pharmacology impacting preclinical and clinical studies, and ultimately, new treatment strategies for brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice L. Rodriguez
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Aidong Qi
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Allie Han
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Haley E. Kling
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Marc C. Quitalig
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Aaron M. Bender
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Lisa Barbaro
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - David Whomble
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Craig W. Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M. Niswender
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (A.L.R.); (A.Q.); (A.H.); (H.E.K.); (M.C.Q.); (A.M.B.); (L.B.); (D.W.); (C.W.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Meanti R, Bresciani E, Rizzi L, Molteni L, Coco S, Omeljaniuk RJ, Torsello A. Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2R) as potential target for the pharmacological treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2025; 186:118044. [PMID: 40209306 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2025] [Accepted: 04/03/2025] [Indexed: 04/12/2025] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a ubiquitous physiological system that plays a crucial role in maintaining CNS homeostasis and regulating its functions. It includes cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs), and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation. In recent years, growing evidence has highlighted the therapeutic potential of the ECS and CBRs, in a wide range of severe diseases and pathological conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders, neuropathic pain and migraine. Targeting the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) has gained attention due to its ability to (i) mitigate neuroinflammatory responses, (ii) regulate mitochondrial function and (iii) provide trophic support, all without eliciting the psychotropic actions associated with CB1R activation. This review aims to explore the potential of CB2R modulation as a strategy for the prevention and treatment of neurologic disorders, exploring both preclinical and clinical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Meanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Laura Molteni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Silvia Coco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Robert J Omeljaniuk
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.
| | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
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Rodríguez-Serrano LM, López-Castillo AP, Cabrera-Mejía MC, Cedillo-Figueroa AS, Zepeda-Ortigosa N, Carregha-Lozano C, Chávez-Hernández ME. Coadministration antagonist dopamine receptor D4 with CB2 receptor agonist decreases binge-like intake of palatable food in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2025; 19:1572374. [PMID: 40365131 PMCID: PMC12069467 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1572374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2025] [Accepted: 04/07/2025] [Indexed: 05/15/2025] Open
Abstract
Introduction Food intake is regulated by two systems: homeostatic and hedonic. An imbalance between these systems can induce overconsumption, such as binge eating disorder (BED), and is associated with dysregulation of the dopamine reward system. The cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) has been identified in dopamine neurons and may play an important role in motivated behaviors, including food intake. Nevertheless, the interaction between the dopamine D4 (DRD4) receptor and CB2R in binge-like intake has not yet been identified. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of intraperitoneal administration of DRD4 antagonist (L-745870), as well as the coadministration of DRD4 antagonist with either CB2R agonist (HU308) or antagonist (AM630), on binge-like intake of palatable food (PF) in adult male mice. Methods We used adult male 34 C57BL6/J mice. All animals were housed individually and had ad libitum access to standard diet (SD) and water. To evaluate binge-like intake, the animals had 1 h of access to PF during 12 baseline binge eating test (BET) sessions. Mice were then randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: 1) vehicle; 2) L-745870; 3) L-745870-HU308, 4) L-745870+AM630 to be evaluated under the effect of treatments for three additionally BET sessions. Results Our results show that DRD4 antagonist reduced binge-like intake of PF, and that a coadministration with a CB2R agonist induced an even more pronounced reduction of binge-like intake. Conclusion These findings suggest an interaction between the dopaminergic and endocannabinoid systems in the modulation of binge-like intake of PF in adult mice, where CB2R activation participates in modulating reward pathways and reducing binge-like behavior.
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