1
|
Microglial Cannabinoid CB 2 Receptors in Pain Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032348. [PMID: 36768668 PMCID: PMC9917135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain, especially chronic pain, can strongly affect patients' quality of life. Cannabinoids ponhave been reported to produce potent analgesic effects in different preclinical pain models, where they primarily function as agonists of Gi/o protein-coupled cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are abundantly expressed in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The central activation of CB1 receptors is strongly associated with psychotropic adverse effects, thus largely limiting its therapeutic potential. However, the CB2 receptors are promising targets for pain treatment without psychotropic adverse effects, as they are primarily expressed in immune cells. Additionally, as the resident immune cells in the central nervous system, microglia are increasingly recognized as critical players in chronic pain. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the expression of CB2 receptors is significantly increased in activated microglia in the spinal cord, which exerts protective consequences within the surrounding neural circuitry by regulating the activity and function of microglia. In this review, we focused on recent advances in understanding the role of microglial CB2 receptors in spinal nociceptive circuitry, highlighting the mechanism of CB2 receptors in modulating microglia function and its implications for CB2 receptor- selective agonist-mediated analgesia.
Collapse
|
2
|
Howlett AC, Thomas BF, Huffman JW. The Spicy Story of Cannabimimetic Indoles. Molecules 2021; 26:6190. [PMID: 34684770 PMCID: PMC8538531 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sterling Research Group identified pravadoline as an aminoalkylindole (AAI) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain reliever. As drug design progressed, the ability of AAI analogs to block prostaglandin synthesis diminished, and antinociceptive activity was found to result from action at the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) abundant in the brain. Several laboratories applied computational chemistry methods to ultimately conclude that AAI and cannabinoid ligands could overlap within a common binding pocket but that WIN55212-2 primarily utilized steric interactions via aromatic stacking, whereas cannabinoid ligands required some electrostatic interactions, particularly involving the CB1 helix-3 lysine. The Huffman laboratory identified strategies to establish CB2 receptor selectivity among cannabimimetic indoles to avoid their CB1-related adverse effects, thereby stimulating preclinical studies to explore their use as anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic pharmacotherapies. Some AAI analogs activate novel GPCRs referred to as "Alkyl Indole" receptors, and some AAI analogs act at the colchicine-binding site on microtubules. The AAI compounds having the greatest potency to interact with the CB1 receptor have found their way into the market as "Spice" or "K2". The sale of these alleged "herbal products" evades FDA consumer protections for proper labeling and safety as a medicine, as well as DEA scheduling as compounds having no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The distribution to the public of potent alkyl indole synthetic cannabimimetic chemicals without regard for consumer safety contrasts with the adherence to regulatory requirements for demonstration of safety that are routinely observed by ethical pharmaceutical companies that market medicines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allyn C. Howlett
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Brian F. Thomas
- Department of Analytical Sciences, The Cronos Group, Toronto, ON M5V 2H1, Canada;
| | - John W. Huffman
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ferrisi R, Ceni C, Bertini S, Macchia M, Manera C, Gado F. Medicinal Chemistry approach, pharmacology and neuroprotective benefits of CB 2R modulators in neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacol Res 2021; 170:105607. [PMID: 34089867 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the last decades, cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) has continued to receive attention as a key therapeutic target in neuroprotection. Indeed, several findings highlight the neuroprotective effects of CB2R through suppression of both neuronal excitability and reactive microglia. Additionally, CB2R seems to be a more promising target than cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) thanks to the lack of central side effects, its lower expression levels in the central nervous system (CNS), and its inducibility, since its expression enhances quickly in the brain following pathological conditions. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the main natural and synthetic selective CB2R modulators, their chemical classification and their potential therapeutic usefulness in neuroprotection, a crucial aspect for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ferrisi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Costanza Ceni
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Simone Bertini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Gado
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Emerging Roles of Cannabinoids and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Clinical Experimental Models. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1264:47-65. [PMID: 33332003 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-57369-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of investigations has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of molecules targeting the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids of endogenous, phytogenic, and synthetic nature have been assessed in a wide variety of disease models ranging from neurological to metabolic disorders. Even though very few compounds of this type have already reached the market, numerous preclinical and clinical studies suggest that cannabinoids are suitable drugs for the clinical management of diverse pathologies.In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the endocannabinoid system under certain physiopathological conditions, with a focus on neurological, oncologic, and metabolic disorders. Cannabinoids evaluated as potential therapeutic agents in experimental models with an emphasis in the most successful chemical entities and their perspectives towards the clinic will be discussed.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fechtner S, Singh AK, Srivastava I, Szlenk CT, Muench TR, Natesan S, Ahmed S. Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonist JWH-015 Inhibits Interleukin-1β-Induced Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts and in Adjuvant Induced Arthritis Rat via Glucocorticoid Receptor. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1027. [PMID: 31139184 PMCID: PMC6519139 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of pain in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a priority that is not fully addressed by the conventional therapies. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist JWH-015 using RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) obtained from patients diagnosed with RA and in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model of RA. Pretreatment of human RASFs with JWH-015 (10–20 μM) markedly inhibited the ability of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce production of IL-6 and IL-8 and cellular expression of inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). JWH-015 was effective in reducing IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of TAK1 (Thr184/187) and JNK/SAPK in human RASFs. While the knockdown of CB2 in RASFs using siRNA method reduced IL-1β-induced inflammation, JWH-015 was still effective in eliciting its anti-inflammatory effects despite the absence of CB2, suggesting the role of non-canonical or an off-target receptor. Computational studies using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that JWH-105 favorably binds to glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with the binding pose and interactions similar to its well-known ligand dexamethasone. Furthermore, knockdown of GR using siRNA abrogated JWH-015's ability to reduce IL-1β-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. In vivo, administration of JWH-015 (5 mg/kg, daily i.p. for 7 days at the onset of arthritis) significantly ameliorated AIA in rats. Pain assessment studies using von Frey method showed a marked antinociception in AIA rats treated with JWH-015. In addition, JWH-015 treatment inhibited bone destruction as evident from micro-CT scanning and bone analysis on the harvested joints and modulated serum RANKL and OPG levels. Overall, our findings suggest that CB2 agonist JWH-015 elicits anti-inflammatory effects partly through GR. This compound could further be tested as an adjunct therapy for the management of pain and tissue destruction as a non-opioid for RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Fechtner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Anil K Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Ila Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Christopher T Szlenk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Tim R Muench
- Preclinical COE, ETHICON, Medical Device Business Services, Inc., DePuy Synthes, Somerville, NJ, United States
| | - Senthil Natesan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Salahuddin Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA, United States.,Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chiurchiù V, van der Stelt M, Centonze D, Maccarrone M. The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation in multiple sclerosis: Clues for other neuroinflammatory diseases. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 160:82-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
7
|
Wiley JL, Marusich JA, Thomas BF. Combination Chemistry: Structure-Activity Relationships of Novel Psychoactive Cannabinoids. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 32:231-248. [PMID: 27753007 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Originally developed as research tools for use in structure-activity relationship studies, synthetic cannabinoids contributed to significant scientific advances in the cannabinoid field. Unfortunately, a subset of these compounds was diverted for recreational use beginning in the early 2000s. As these compounds were banned, they were replaced with additional synthetic cannabinoids with increasingly diverse chemical structures. This chapter focuses on integration of recent results with those covered in previous reviews. Whereas most of the early compounds were derived from the prototypic naphthoylindole JWH-018, currently popular synthetic cannabinoids include tetramethylcyclopropyl ketones and indazole-derived cannabinoids (e.g., AB-PINACA, AB-CHMINACA). Despite their structural differences, psychoactive synthetic cannabinoids bind with high affinity to CB1 receptors in the brain and, when tested, have been shown to activate these receptors and to produce a characteristic profile of effects, including suppression of locomotor activity, antinociception, hypothermia, and catalepsy, as well as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-like discriminative stimulus effects in mice. When they have been tested, synthetic cannabinoids are often found to be more efficacious at activation of the CB1 receptor and more potent in vivo. Further, their chemical alteration by thermolysis during use and their uncertain stability and purity may result in exposure to degradants that differ from the parent compound contained in the original product. Consequently, while their intoxicant effects may be similar to those of THC, use of synthetic cannabinoids may be accompanied by unpredicted, and sometimes harmful, effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wiley
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA.
| | - Julie A Marusich
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Brian F Thomas
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Huang Z, Wang H, Wang J, Zhao M, Sun N, Sun F, Shen J, Zhang H, Xia K, Chen D, Gao M, Hammer RP, Liu Q, Xi Z, Fan X, Wu J. Cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) agonist, GW405833 reduces agonist-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29757. [PMID: 27432473 PMCID: PMC4949433 DOI: 10.1038/srep29757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence demonstrates that the blockade of intracellular Ca(2+) signals may protect pancreatic acinar cells against Ca(2+) overload, intracellular protease activation, and necrosis. The activation of cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) prevents acinar cell pathogenesis in animal models of acute pancreatitis. However, whether CB2Rs modulate intracellular Ca(2+) signals in pancreatic acinar cells is largely unknown. We evaluated the roles of CB2R agonist, GW405833 (GW) in agonist-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in pancreatic acinar cells using multiple experimental approaches with acute dissociated pancreatic acinar cells prepared from wild type, CB1R-knockout (KO), and CB2R-KO mice. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed that CB2R protein was expressed in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Electrophysiological experiments showed that activation of CB2Rs by GW reduced acetylcholine (ACh)-, but not cholecystokinin (CCK)-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in a concentration-dependent manner; this inhibition was prevented by a selective CB2R antagonist, AM630, or was absent in CB2R-KO but not CB1R-KO mice. In addition, GW eliminated L-arginine-induced enhancement of Ca(2+) oscillations, pancreatic amylase, and pulmonary myeloperoxidase. Collectively, we provide novel evidence that activation of CB2Rs eliminates ACh-induced Ca(2+) oscillations and L-arginine-induced enhancement of Ca(2+) signaling in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, which suggests a potential cellular mechanism of CB2R-mediated protection in acute pancreatitis.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/pharmacology
- Acinar Cells/drug effects
- Acinar Cells/metabolism
- Acinar Cells/physiology
- Animals
- Arginine/pharmacology
- Calcium/metabolism
- Calcium Signaling/drug effects
- Cholinergic Agonists/pharmacology
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Morpholines/pharmacology
- Pancreas/cytology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zebing Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix AZ 85013, USA
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Jingke Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Mengqin Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Nana Sun
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Fangfang Sun
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Jianxin Shen
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Kunkun Xia
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix AZ 85013, USA
| | - Dejie Chen
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix AZ 85013, USA
| | - Ming Gao
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix AZ 85013, USA
| | - Ronald P. Hammer
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Qingrong Liu
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Zhengxiong Xi
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Xuegong Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix AZ 85013, USA
- Department of Physiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Paulke A, Proschak E, Sommer K, Achenbach J, Wunder C, Toennes SW. Synthetic cannabinoids: In silico prediction of the cannabinoid receptor 1 affinity by a quantitative structure-activity relationship model. Toxicol Lett 2016; 245:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
10
|
Aghazadeh Tabrizi M, Baraldi PG, Borea PA, Varani K. Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Agonists. Chem Rev 2016; 116:519-60. [PMID: 26741146 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Aghazadeh Tabrizi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Medical Science, Pharmacology Section, University of Ferrara , Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Pier Giovanni Baraldi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Medical Science, Pharmacology Section, University of Ferrara , Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Pier Andrea Borea
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Medical Science, Pharmacology Section, University of Ferrara , Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Katia Varani
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and ‡Department of Medical Science, Pharmacology Section, University of Ferrara , Ferrara 44121, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Agudelo M, Figueroa G, Yndart A, Casteleiro G, Muñoz K, Samikkannu T, Atluri V, Nair MP. Alcohol and Cannabinoids Differentially Affect HIV Infection and Function of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells (MDDC). Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1452. [PMID: 26733986 PMCID: PMC4686798 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, alcohol has been known to induce inflammation while cannabinoids have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory role. For instance cannabinoids have been shown to reduce susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and attenuate HIV replication in macrophages. Recently, we demonstrated that alcohol induces cannabinoid receptors and regulates cytokine production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC). However, the ability of alcohol and cannabinoids to alter MDDC function during HIV infection has not been clearly elucidated yet. In order to study the potential impact of alcohol and cannabinoids on differentiated MDDC infected with HIV, monocytes were cultured for 7 days with GM-CSF and IL-4, differentiated MDDC were infected with HIV-1Ba-L and treated with EtOH (0.1 and 0.2%), THC (5 and 10 μM), or JWH-015 (5 and 10 μM) for 4–7 days. HIV infection of MDDC was confirmed by p24 and Long Terminal Repeats (LTR) estimation. MDDC endocytosis assay and cytokine array profiles were measured to investigate the effects of HIV and substances of abuse on MDDC function. Our results show the HIV + EtOH treated MDDC had the highest levels of p24 production and expression when compared with the HIV positive controls and the cannabinoid treated cells. Although both cannabinoids, THC and JWH-015 had lower levels of p24 production and expression, the HIV + JWH-015 treated MDDC had the lowest levels of p24 when compared to the HIV + THC treated cells. In addition, MDDC endocytic function and cytokine production were also differentially altered after alcohol and cannabinoid treatments. Our results show a differential effect of alcohol and cannabinoids, which may provide insights into the divergent inflammatory role of alcohol and cannabinoids to modulate MDDC function in the context of HIV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marisela Agudelo
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gloria Figueroa
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Adriana Yndart
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gianna Casteleiro
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Karla Muñoz
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Thangavel Samikkannu
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Venkata Atluri
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| | - Madhavan P Nair
- Department of Immunology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The abuse of synthetic psychoactive substances known as "designer drugs," or "new psychoactive substances" (NPS), is increasing at an alarming rate. NPS are purchased as alternatives to traditional illicit drugs of abuse and are manufactured to circumvent laws regulating the sale and use of controlled substances. Synthetic cathinones (i.e., "bath salts") and synthetic cannabinoids (i.e., "spice") are two types of NPS that have received substantial media attention. Although low recreational doses of bath salts or spice compounds can produce desirable effects, high doses or chronic exposure often leads to dangerous medical consequences, including psychosis, violent behaviors, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and even death. Despite the popularity of NPS, there is a paucity of scientific data about these drugs. Here we provide a brief up-to-date review describing the mechanisms of action and neurobiological effects of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids.
Collapse
|
13
|
Chiurchiù V, Leuti A, Maccarrone M. Cannabinoid Signaling and Neuroinflammatory Diseases: A Melting pot for the Regulation of Brain Immune Responses. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2015; 10:268-80. [PMID: 25601726 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-015-9584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The concept of the central nervous system (CNS) as an immune-privileged site, essentially due to the presence of the blood brain barrier, appears to be overly simplistic. Indeed, within healthy CNS immune activities are permitted and are required for neuronal function and host defense, not only due to the presence of the resident innate immune cells of the brain, but also by virtue of a complex cross-talk of the CNS with peripheral immune cells. Nonetheless, long-standing and persisting neuroinflammatory responses are most often detrimental and characterize several neuroinflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A growing body of evidence suggests that Cannabis sativa-derived phytocannabinoids, as well as synthetic cannabinoids, are endowed with significant immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, both in peripheral tissues and in the CNS, through the activation of cannabinoid receptors. In this review, the immunomodulatory effects of cannabinoid signaling on the most relevant brain immune cells will be discussed. In addition, the impact of cannabinoid regulation on the overall integration of the manifold brain immune responses will also be highlighted, along with the implication of these compounds as potential agents for the management of neuroinflammatory disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Chiurchiù
- School of Medicine and Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wiley JL, Lefever TW, Cortes RA, Marusich JA. Cross-substitution of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018 in drug discrimination in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 124:123-8. [PMID: 24887450 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic indole-derived cannabinoids, originally developed to probe cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, have become widely abused for their marijuana-like intoxicating properties. The present study examined the effects of indole-derived cannabinoids in rats trained to discriminate Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) from vehicle. In addition, the effects of Δ(9)-THC in rats trained to discriminate JWH-018 from vehicle were assessed. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate 3mg/kg Δ(9)-THC or 0.3mg/kg JWH-018 from vehicle. JWH-018, JWH-073, and JWH-210 fully substituted in Δ(9)-THC-trained rats and Δ(9)-THC substituted in JWH-018-trained rats. In contrast, JWH-320, an indole-derived cannabinoid without affinity for CB1 receptors, failed to substitute for Δ(9)-THC. Pre-treatment with 1mg/kg rimonabant significantly reduced responding on the JWH-018-associated lever in JWH-018-trained rats. These results support the conclusion that the interoceptive effects of Δ(9)-THC and synthetic indole-derived cannabinoids show a large degree of overlap, which is predictive of their use for their marijuana-like intoxicating properties. Characterization of the extent of pharmacological differences among structural classes of cannabinoids, and determination of their mechanisms remain important goals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wiley
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Timothy W Lefever
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Ricardo A Cortes
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Julie A Marusich
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Thakur GA, Bajaj S, Paronis C, Peng Y, Bowman AL, Barak LS, Caron MG, Parrish D, Deschamps JR, Makriyannis A. Novel adamantyl cannabinoids as CB1 receptor probes. J Med Chem 2013; 56:3904-21. [PMID: 23621789 DOI: 10.1021/jm4000775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies, compound 1 (AM411), a 3-(1-adamantyl) analogue of the phytocannabinoid (-)-Δ(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(8)-THC), was shown to have improved affinity and selectivity for the CB1 receptor. In this work, we further explored the role of the 1-adamantyl group at the C-3 position in a series of tricyclic cannabinoid analogues modified at the 9-northern aliphatic hydroxyl (NAH) position. Of these, 9-hydroxymethyl hexahydrocannabinol 11 (AM4054) exhibited high CB1 affinity and full agonist profile. In the cAMP assay, the 9-hydroxymethyl cannabinol analogue 24 (AM4089) had a partial agonist profile, with high affinity and moderate selectivity for rCB1 over hCB2. In vivo results in rat models of hypothermia and analgesia were congruent with in vitro data. Our in vivo data indicate that 3-(1-adamantyl) substitution, within NAH cannabinergics, imparts improved pharmacological profiles when compared to the corresponding, traditionally used 3-dimethylheptyl analogues and identifies 11 and 24 as potentially useful in vivo CB1 cannabinergic probes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh A Thakur
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University , 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sánchez Robles EM, Bagües Arias A, Martín Fontelles MI. Cannabinoids and muscular pain. Effectiveness of the local administration in rat. Eur J Pain 2013; 16:1116-27. [PMID: 22354705 DOI: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2012.00115.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders can be difficult to control and the incorporation of new approaches for its treatment is an interesting challenge. Activation of cannabinoid (CB) receptors decreases nociceptive transmission in acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain states; however, although the use of cannabis derivatives has been recently accepted as a useful alternative for the treatment of spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis, the effects of CB receptor agonists in muscular pain have hardly been studied. METHODS Here, we characterized the antinociceptive effect of non selective and selective CB agonists by systemic and local administration, in two muscular models of pain, masseter and gastrocnemius, induced by hypertonic saline (HS) injection. Drugs used were: the non-selective agonist WIN 55,212-2 and two selective agonists, ACEA (CB 1) and JWH 015 (CB 2); AM 251 (CB 1) and AM 630 (CB 2) were used as selective antagonists. RESULTS In the masseter pain model, both systemic (intraperitoneal) and local (intramuscular) administration of CB 1 and CB 2 agonists reduced the nociceptive behaviour induced by HS, whereas in the gastrocnemius model the local administration was more effective than systemic. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence that both, CB 1 and CB 2 receptors can contribute to muscular antinociception and, interestingly, suggest that the local administration of CB agonists could be a new and useful pharmacological strategy in the treatment of muscular pain, avoiding adverse effects induced by systemic administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Ma Sánchez Robles
- Departamento de Farmacología y Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ma C, Wang L, Yang P, Myint KZ, Xie XQ. LiCABEDS II. Modeling of ligand selectivity for G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 53:11-26. [PMID: 23278450 DOI: 10.1021/ci3003914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2) is a promising therapeutic target for blood cancer, pain relief, osteoporosis, and immune system disease. The recent withdrawal of Rimonabant, which targets another closely related cannabinoid receptor (CB1), accentuates the importance of selectivity for the development of CB2 ligands in order to minimize their effects on the CB1 receptor. In our previous study, LiCABEDS (Ligand Classifier of Adaptively Boosting Ensemble Decision Stumps) was reported as a generic ligand classification algorithm for the prediction of categorical molecular properties. Here, we report extension of the application of LiCABEDS to the modeling of cannabinoid ligand selectivity with molecular fingerprints as descriptors. The performance of LiCABEDS was systematically compared with another popular classification algorithm, support vector machine (SVM), according to prediction precision and recall rate. In addition, the examination of LiCABEDS models revealed the difference in structure diversity of CB1 and CB2 selective ligands. The structure determination from data mining could be useful for the design of novel cannabinoid lead compounds. More importantly, the potential of LiCABEDS was demonstrated through successful identification of newly synthesized CB2 selective compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
The CB2-preferring agonist JWH015 also potently and efficaciously activates CB1 in autaptic hippocampal neurons. Pharmacol Res 2012; 66:437-42. [PMID: 22921769 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Revised: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The G protein coupled receptors CB(1) and CB(2) are targets for the psychoactive constituents of cannabis, chief among them Δ(9)-THC. They are also key components of the multifunctional endogenous cannabinoid signaling system. CB(1) and CB(2) receptors modulate a wide variety of physiological systems including analgesia, memory, mood, reward, appetite and immunity. Identification and characterization of selective CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agonists and antagonists will facilitate understanding the precise physiological and pathophysiological roles of cannabinoid receptors in these systems. This is particularly necessary in the case of CB(2) because these receptors are sparsely expressed and problematic to detect using traditional immunocytochemical approaches. 1-Propyl-2-methyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH015) is an aminoalkylindole that has been employed as a "CB(2)-selective" agonist in more than 40 published papers. However, we have found that JWH015 potently and efficaciously activates CB(1) receptors in neurons. Using murine autaptic hippocampal neurons, which express CB(1), but not CB(2) receptors, we find that JWH015 inhibits excitatory postsynaptic currents with an EC50 of 216nM. JWH015 inhibition is absent in neurons from CB(1)(-/-) cultures and is reversed by the CB(1) antagonist, SR141716 [200nM]. Furthermore, JWH015 partially occludes CB(1)-mediated DSE (∼35% remaining), an action reversed by the CB(2) antagonist, AM630 [1 and 3μM], suggesting that high concentrations of AM630 also antagonize CB(1) receptors. We conclude that while JWH015 is a CB(2)-preferring agonist, it also activates CB(1) receptors at experimentally encountered concentrations. Thus, CB(1) agonism of JWH015 needs to be considered in the design and interpretation of experiments that use JWH015 to probe CB(2)-signaling.
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is defined histopathologically by the presence of macrovesicular steatosis, cellular ballooning, and inflammation. NASH represents a complex multifactorial disease that typically occurs within the context of the metabolic syndrome. NASH lacks homogeneity, and other forms of NASH can present atypically. Less than 50% of patients with NASH respond to pharmacologic treatment, which speaks to this heterogeneity. The authors discuss drugs, disease entities, and nutritional states that can cause or exacerbate underlying NASH indirectly through worsening insulin resistance or directly by interfering with lipid metabolism, promoting oxidative injury, or activating inflammatory pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Larrain
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Turkman N, Shavrin A, Paolillo V, Yeh HH, Flores L, Soghomonian S, Rabinovich B, Volgin A, Gelovani J, Alauddin M. Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of [18F]-labeled 2-oxoquinoline derivatives for PET imaging of cannabinoid CB2 receptor. Nucl Med Biol 2012; 39:593-600. [PMID: 22226022 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2011.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB(2)) is an important target for development of drugs and imaging agents for diseases, such as neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and cancer. Recently, we reported synthesis and results of in vitro receptor binding of a focused library of fluorinated 2-oxoquinoline derivatives as CB(2) receptor ligands. Some of the compounds demonstrated to be good CB(2)-specific ligands with Ki values in the nanomolar to subnanomolar concentrations; therefore, we pursued the development of their (18)F-labeled analogues that should be useful for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of CB(2) receptor expression. Here, we report the radiosynthesis of two (18)F-labeled 2-oxoquinoline derivatives and the preliminary in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of one compound as a CB(2)-specific radioligand. METHODS 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl amine [(18)F]-3 was prepared by radiofluorination of 4-cyano-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium triflate salt followed by reduction with LiAlH(4) and then coupled with acid chlorides 11 and 12 to afford [(18)F]-13 and [(18)F]-14. In vitro CB(2) receptor binding assay was performed using U87 cells transduced with CB(2) and CB(1) receptor. Ex vivo autoradiography was performed with [(18)F]-14 on spleen and on CB(2)- and CB(1)-expressing and wild-type U87 subcutaneous tumors grown in mice. RESULTS The radiochemical yields of [(18)F]-13 and [(18)F]-14 were 10%-15.0% with an average of 12% (n=10); radiochemical purity was >99% with specific activity 1200 mCi/μmol. The dissociation constant Kd for [(18)F]-14 was 3.4 nM. Ex vivo autoradiography showed accumulation of [(18)F]-14 in the CB(2)-expressing tumor. CONCLUSION Two new [(18)F]-labeled CB(2) ligands have been synthesized. Compound [(18)F]-14 appears to be a potential PET imaging agent for the assessment of CB(2) receptor expression; however, poor solubility restrain its use in vivo.
Collapse
|
21
|
Nandaluru PR, Bodwell GJ. Multicomponent Synthesis of 6H-Dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-ones and a Total Synthesis of Cannabinol. Org Lett 2011; 14:310-3. [DOI: 10.1021/ol2030636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Graham J. Bodwell
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, Canada, A1B 3X7
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wiley JL, Marusich JA, Huffman JW, Balster RL, Thomas BF. Hijacking of Basic Research: The Case of Synthetic Cannabinoids. METHODS REPORT (RTI PRESS) 2011; 2011. [PMID: 23397508 DOI: 10.3768/rtipress.2011.op.0007.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Gathering and communicating knowledge are important aspects of the scientific endeavor. Yet presentation of data in public forums such as scientific meetings and publications makes it available not only to scientists, but also to others who may have different ideas about how to use research findings. A recent example of this type of hijacking is the introduction of synthetic cannabinoids that are sprayed on herbal products and subsequently smoked for their marijuana-like intoxicating properties. Originally developed for the legitimate research purpose of furthering understanding of the cannabinoid system, these synthetic cannabinoids are being abused worldwide, creating issues for regulatory and law enforcement agencies that are struggling to keep up with the growing number of compounds of various structural motifs. Basic and clinical scientists need to provide advice now to facilitate decision-making about the health threats posed by this emerging problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wiley
- Senior behavioral pharmacologist in RTI International's Discovery and Analytical Sciences unit
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jankovics P, Váradi A, Tölgyesi L, Lohner S, Németh-Palotás J, Balla J. Detection and identification of the new potential synthetic cannabinoids 1-pentyl-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole and 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole in seized bulk powders in Hungary. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 214:27-32. [PMID: 21813254 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2011] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
3-Naphthoyl- and 3-phenylacetylindoles represent a group of substances of cannabimimetic activity with affinities - strongly influenced by their functional groups - to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Some of them have been described as ingredients of herbal blends also known as "smart products" by several research groups. Recently further cannabimimetic substances possessing new chemical structures like benzoylindoles and adamantoylindoles have emerged. In Hungary, two powder samples were seized by the authorities and identified as 1-pentyl-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (AM-679) and 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole. Structure elucidation was carried out by LC-UV-MS/MS, LC-TOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR. The benzoylindole AM-679 is a known agonist of cannabinoid receptors while the adamantoylindole derivative also carries chemical features typical for cannabimimetics. It is thus assumed that both substances might be detected in "smart products" in the future.
Collapse
|
24
|
Minuti L, Ballerini E. High-Pressure Access to the Δ9-cis- and Δ9-trans-Tetrahydrocannabinols Family. J Org Chem 2011; 76:5392-403. [DOI: 10.1021/jo200796b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucio Minuti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ballerini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cannabinoid receptor 2 signaling does not modulate atherogenesis in mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19405. [PMID: 21541300 PMCID: PMC3082575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Strong evidence supports a protective role of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) in inflammation and atherosclerosis. However, direct proof of its involvement in lesion formation is lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the role of the CB2 receptor in Murine atherogenesis. Methods and Findings Low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLR−/−) mice subjected to intraperitoneal injections of the selective CB2 receptor agonist JWH-133 or vehicle three times per week consumed high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 16 weeks. Surprisingly, intimal lesion size did not differ between both groups in sections of the aortic roots and arches, suggesting that CB2 activation does not modulate atherogenesis in vivo. Plaque content of lipids, macrophages, smooth muscle cells, T cells, and collagen were also similar between both groups. Moreover, CB2−/−/LDLR−/− mice developed lesions of similar size containing more macrophages and lipids but similar amounts of smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers compared with CB2+/+/LDLR−/− controls. While JWH-133 treatment reduced intraperitoneal macrophage accumulation in thioglycollate-illicited peritonitis, neither genetic deficiency nor pharmacologic activation of the CB2 receptor altered inflammatory cytokine expression in vivo or inflammatory cell adhesion in the flow chamber in vitro. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that both activation and deletion of the CB2 receptor do not relevantly modulate atherogenesis in mice. Our data do not challenge the multiple reports involving CB2 in other inflammatory processes. However, in the context of atherosclerosis, CB2 does not appear to be a suitable therapeutic target for reduction of the atherosclerotic plaque.
Collapse
|
26
|
Scandroglio P, Brusa R, Lozza G, Mancini I, Petrò R, Reggiani A, Beltramo M. Evaluation of cannabinoid receptor 2 and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 functional responses using a cell impedance-based technology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 15:1238-47. [PMID: 20811068 DOI: 10.1177/1087057110375615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Recently, new technologies based on biosensors and called label free have been developed. These technologies eliminate the need for using markers and dyes. The authors applied one of these technologies, based on measurement of cell impedance variation, to study the pharmacological profiles of ligands for the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), a Gi-coupled receptor, and for the metabopotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), a Gq-coupled receptor. Reference agonists and antagonists/inverse agonists for the 2 receptors were applied to recombinant cell lines and impedance monitored over time. Agonists (JWH133 and CP55940 for CB2; quisqualate, glutamate, 1S-3R-ACPD, and S-3,5-DHPG for mGluR1) triggered a variation of impedance consistent in both potency and efficacy with data obtained using classical assays measuring cAMP or Ca(2+) levels. This effect was not present in the parental nontransfected cell line, confirming specific receptor-mediated response. Application of antagonists (AM630 for CB2; YM298198, SCH1014222, J&J16259685, and CPCCOEt for mGluR1) reduced agonist-induced impedance changes. The only exception was the mGluR1 antagonist BAY367620 that, while active in the Ca(2+) assay, was inactive in the impedance assay. Overall, these results confirm the possibility of using cell impedance-based technology to study the pharmacological profile of ligands acting at G-protein-coupled receptors coupled to different downstream signaling pathways.
Collapse
|
27
|
Hervera A, Negrete R, Leánez S, Martín-Campos J, Pol O. The role of nitric oxide in the local antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects and expression of delta-opioid and cannabinoid-2 receptors during neuropathic pain in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2010; 334:887-96. [PMID: 20498253 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.110.167585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Both delta-opioid receptor (DOPr) and cannabinoid-2 receptor (CB2R) agonists attenuate neuropathic pain, but the precise mechanism implicated in these effects is not completely elucidated. We investigated whether nitric oxide synthesized by neuronal (NOS1) or inducible (NOS2) nitric-oxide synthases could modulate DOPr and/or CB2R antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects through the peripheral nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G (PKG) pathway activation and affect their expression during neuropathic pain. In wild-type (WT) mice at 21 days after chronic constriction of sciatic nerve, we evaluated the effects of [d-Pen(2),d-Pen(5)]-enkephalin (DPDPE); (2-methyl-1-propyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-naphthalenylmethanone (JWH-015); and a NOS1 [N-[(4S)-4-amino-5-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]pentyl]-N'-nitroguanidine tris(trifluoroacetate) salt; NANT], NOS2 [l-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine; l-NIL], l-guanylate cyclase [1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one; ODQ], or PKG [(Rp)-8-(para-chlorophenylthio)guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate; Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPs] inhibitor administered alone or combined. Expression of DOPr and CB2R mRNA in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of naive and nerve-injured WT, NOS1-knockout (KO), and NOS2-KO mice, also was assessed. The subplantar administration of NANT, l-NIL, ODQ, or Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPs dose-dependently inhibited neuropathic pain and enhanced the local effects of DPDPE or JWH-015. Moreover, although the basal levels of DOPr and CB2R mRNA were similar between WT and NOS-KO animals, nerve injury only decreased (DOPr) or increased (CB2R) their expression in the dorsal root ganglia of WT and NOS2-KO mice, and not in NOS1-KO mice. Results suggest that inactivation of the nitric oxide-cGMP-PKG peripheral pathway triggered by NOS1 and NOS2 enhanced the peripheral actions of DOPr and CB2R agonists and that nitric oxide synthesized by NOS1 is implicated in the peripheral regulation of DOPr and CB2R gene transcription during neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnau Hervera
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Sta Creu i Sant Pau and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Burdick D, DeOrazio R, Guzzo P, Habershaw A, Helle M, Paul B, Wolf M. Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of substitutions at the C-1 position of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:1424-6. [PMID: 20079638 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.12.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 12/24/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A novel series of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) analogues were synthesized to determine their potential as cannabinoid receptor modulators. Chemistry focused on conversion of the phenol of Delta9-THC to other functionality through palladium catalyzed reactions with an intermediate triflate 2. Two analogues with sub 100 nM affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors were identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Burdick
- AMRI, 26 Corporate Circle, PO Box 15098, Albany, NY 12212-5098, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Huang MJ. QSAR study of the structural and conformational requirements for the binding of anandamide analogs to the cannabinoid receptor CB 1. Mol Phys 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/00268970802347998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
30
|
Dobrosi N, Tóth BI, Nagy G, Dózsa A, Géczy T, Nagy L, Zouboulis CC, Paus R, Kovács L, Bíró T. Endocannabinoids enhance lipid synthesis and apoptosis of human sebocytes
via
cannabinoid receptor‐2‐mediated signaling. FASEB J 2008; 22:3685-95. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-104877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nóra Dobrosi
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - Balázs I. Tóth
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - Georgina Nagy
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - Anikó Dózsa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - Tamás Géczy
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - László Nagy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - Christos C. Zouboulis
- Departments of DermatologyVenereology, Allergology, and Immunology, Dessau Medical CenterDessauGermany
| | - Ralf Paus
- Department of DermatologyUniversity Hospital Schleswig‐Holstein, University of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - László Kovács
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| | - Tamás Bíró
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Research Center for Molecular MedicineDebrecenHungary
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
The SAR studies of novel CB2 selective agonists, benzimidazolone derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008; 18:3310-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2008] [Revised: 04/06/2008] [Accepted: 04/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
32
|
Abstract
Three members of the cannabinoid class, cannabinol, cannabinol methyl ether, and cannabinodiol, were synthesized using a microwave-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization reaction as the key step. This approach provides a high level of synthetic flexibility allowing for the facile synthesis of cannabinoid analogues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A Teske
- North Carolina State University, Department of Chemistry, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8204, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
5-Sulfonyl-benzimidazoles as selective CB2 agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008; 18:2574-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2008] [Revised: 03/14/2008] [Accepted: 03/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
34
|
GPR55 is a cannabinoid receptor that increases intracellular calcium and inhibits M current. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:2699-704. [PMID: 18263732 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0711278105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 485] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The CB(1) cannabinoid receptor mediates many of the psychoactive effects of Delta(9)THC, the principal active component of cannabis. However, ample evidence suggests that additional non-CB(1)/CB(2) receptors may contribute to the behavioral, vascular, and immunological actions of Delta(9)THC and endogenous cannabinoids. Here, we provide further evidence that GPR55, a G protein-coupled receptor, is a cannabinoid receptor. GPR55 is highly expressed in large dorsal root ganglion neurons and, upon activation by various cannabinoids (Delta(9)THC, the anandamide analog methanandamide, and JWH015) increases intracellular calcium in these neurons. Examination of its signaling pathway in HEK293 cells transiently expressing GPR55 found the calcium increase to involve G(q), G(12), RhoA, actin, phospholipase C, and calcium release from IP(3)R-gated stores. GPR55 activation also inhibits M current. These results establish GPR55 as a cannabinoid receptor with signaling distinct from CB(1) and CB(2).
Collapse
|
35
|
Huffman JW, Thompson ALS, Wiley JL, Martin BR. Synthesis and pharmacology of 1-deoxy analogs of CP-47,497 and CP-55,940. Bioorg Med Chem 2008; 16:322-35. [PMID: 17919913 PMCID: PMC2262798 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2007.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2007] [Revised: 09/14/2007] [Accepted: 09/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A series of 1-deoxy analogs of CP-47,497 (8 and 13, n=0-7) and 1-deoxy analogs of CP-55,940 (9, n=0-7) have been synthesized and their affinities for the cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors have been determined. Although the majority of these compounds exhibit selectivity for the CB(2) receptor, none have greater than modest affinity for either receptor. The interactions of these 1-deoxy nontraditional cannabinoids with the CB(2) receptor are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Huffman
- Howard L. Hunter Laboratory, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0973, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cannabinoid CB2 receptors: a therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 153:319-34. [PMID: 17994113 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0707531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids suppress behavioural responses to noxious stimulation and suppress nociceptive transmission through activation of CB1 and CB2 receptor subtypes. CB1 receptors are expressed at high levels in the central nervous system (CNS), whereas CB2 receptors are found predominantly, but not exclusively, outside the CNS. CB2 receptors are also upregulated in the CNS and dorsal root ganglia by pathological pain states. Here, we review behavioural, neurochemical and electrophysiological data, which identify cannabinoid CB2 receptors as a therapeutic target for treating pathological pain states with limited centrally, mediated side effects. The development of CB2-selective agonists (with minimal affinity for CB1) as well as mutant mice lacking CB2 receptors has provided pharmacological and genetic tools required to evaluate the effectiveness of CB2 agonists in suppressing persistent pain states. This review will examine the efficacy of cannabinoid CB2-selective agonists in suppressing acute, inflammatory and neuropathic nociception following systemic and local routes of administration. Data derived from behavioural, neurochemical and neurophysiological approaches are discussed to better understand the relationship between antinociceptive effects induced by CB2-selective agonists in behavioural studies and neural mechanisms of pain suppression. Finally, the therapeutic potential and possible limitations of CB2-based pharmacotherapies for pathological pain states induced by tissue and nerve injury are discussed.
Collapse
|
37
|
Endothelial CB1-receptors limit infarct size through NO formation in rat isolated hearts. Life Sci 2007; 81:1373-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2007] [Revised: 08/16/2007] [Accepted: 08/31/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
38
|
Lavey BJ, Kozlowski JA, Shankar BB, Spitler JM, Zhou G, Yang DY, Shu Y, Wong MK, Wong SC, Shih NY, Wu J, McCombie SW, Rizvi R, Wolin RL, Lunn CA. Optimization of triaryl bis-sulfones as cannabinoid-2 receptor ligands. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2007; 17:3760-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2007] [Revised: 04/04/2007] [Accepted: 04/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
39
|
Cheng Y, Hitchcock SA. Targeting cannabinoid agonists for inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2007; 16:951-65. [PMID: 17594182 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.16.7.951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptors CB(1) and CB(2) are class A G-protein-coupled receptors. It is well known that cannabinoid receptor agonists produce relief of pain in a variety of animal models by interacting with cannabinoid receptors. CB(1) receptors are located centrally and peripherally, whereas CB(2) receptors are expressed primarily on immune cells and tissues. A large body of preclinical data supports the hypothesis that either CB(2)-selective agonists or CB(1) agonists acting at peripheral sites, or with limited CNS exposure, will inhibit pain and neuroinflammation without side effects within the CNS. There has been a growing interest in developing cannabinoid agonists. Many new cannabinoid ligands have been synthesized and studied covering a wide variety of novel structural scaffolds. This review focuses on the present development of cannabinoid agonists with an emphasis on selective CB(2) agonists and peripherally restricted CB(1) or CB(1)/CB(2) dual agonists for treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Cheng
- Amgen, Inc., Chemistry Research and Development, MS 29-2-C, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Marriott KSC, Huffman JW, Wiley JL, Martin BR. Synthesis and pharmacology of 11-nor-1-methoxy-9-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinols and 11-nor-1-deoxy-9-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinols: new selective ligands for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor. Bioorg Med Chem 2006; 14:2386-97. [PMID: 16321538 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2005] [Revised: 11/09/2005] [Accepted: 11/09/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fourteen novel CB2 receptor selective cannabinoids were synthesized via initial Lewis acid catalyzed rearrangement of resorcinol precursors to obtain the cannabinoid moiety. These are the 1-methoxy-9-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinols and the 1-deoxy-9-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinols, with 1',1'-dimethylalkyl side chains of four to seven carbon atoms at C-3 of the cannabinoid nucleus. The cannabinols synthesized and described in this paper all exhibit greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than for the CB1 receptor. Exceptionally high CB2 affinity was observed for 1-deoxy-9beta-hydroxy-dimethylhexylhexahydrocannabinol (JWH-361, 9, n = 3) K(i) = 2.7 nM and 1-deoxy-9beta-hydroxydimethylpentylhexahydrocannabinol (JWH-300, 9, n = 2) K(i) = 5.3 nM. In general, the stereochemistry of the 9-hydroxy group is important and the beta-orientation enhances both CB2 receptor affinity and selectivity.
Collapse
|
41
|
Chen JZ, Han XW, Liu Q, Makriyannis A, Wang J, Xie XQ. 3D-QSAR Studies of Arylpyrazole Antagonists of Cannabinoid Receptor Subtypes CB1 and CB2. A Combined NMR and CoMFA Approach. J Med Chem 2005; 49:625-36. [PMID: 16420048 DOI: 10.1021/jm050655g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present work focuses on the study of the three-dimensional (3D) structural requirements for selective antagonist activity of arylpyrazole compounds at the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Initially, a combined high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) NMR and computer modeling approach was carried out to study the solution structure of the key pyrazole derivative N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-phenyl-1-(n-pentyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM263). By using the NMR-determined molecular conformers as templates, the 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies were performed with the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) approach on a set of arylpyrazole cannabinoid receptor antagonists. Molecular alignments suitable for deriving valuable pharmacophoric features for this series of compounds were determined. Such systematic 3D-QSAR/CoMFA analyses of 29 molecules and their receptor affinities gave guidance for understanding the binding affinities of arylpyrazoles at the CB1 and CB2 binding sites, respectively. Comparison of CoMFA steric and potential contour maps for affinity at the two cannabinoid receptor subtypes helps to differentiate structural requirements for each subtype and serves as a basis for the design of later-generation analogues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Zhong Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Texas 77204-5037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yates AS, Doughty SW, Kendall DA, Kellam B. Chemical modification of the naphthoyl 3-position of JWH-015: in search of a fluorescent probe to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 15:3758-62. [PMID: 15993070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.05.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2005] [Revised: 05/12/2005] [Accepted: 05/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In silico modelling was used to guide the positioning of the fluorescent dye NBD-F on the cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist JWH-015. While the ultimate fluorescent conjugate lost extensive binding affinity to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor, affinity and efficacy studies on the naphthoyl 3-position modified precursor molecules have provided new insight into structure-activity relationships associated with this position.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Yates
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lunn CA, Fine JS, Rojas-Triana A, Jackson JV, Fan X, Kung TT, Gonsiorek W, Schwarz MA, Lavey B, Kozlowski JA, Narula SK, Lundell DJ, Hipkin RW, Bober LA. A novel cannabinoid peripheral cannabinoid receptor-selective inverse agonist blocks leukocyte recruitment in vivo. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005; 316:780-8. [PMID: 16258021 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.105.093500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of the cannabinoid peripheral cannabinoid receptor (CB(2)) receptor on peripheral immune cells suggests that compounds specific for CB(2) might be effective anti-inflammatory agents. In this report, we present the initial biological profiling of a novel triaryl bis-sulfone, Sch.336 (N-[1(S)-[4-[[4-methoxy-2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]phenyl]-sulfonyl]phenyl]ethyl]methanesulfonamide), which is selective for the human cannabinoid CB(2) receptor (hCB(2)). Sch.336 is an inverse agonist at hCB(2), as shown by its ability to decrease guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS) binding to membranes containing hCB(2), by the ability of GTPgammaS to left-shift Sch.336 binding to hCB(2) in these membranes, and by the compound's ability to increase forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels in CHO cells expressing hCB(2). In these systems, Sch.336 displays a greater potency than that reported for the CB(2)-selective dihydropyrazole, SR144528 (N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1]heptan2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide). In vitro, Sch.336 impairs the migration of CB(2)-expressing recombinant cell lines to the cannabinoid agonist 2-arachidonylglycerol. In vivo, the compound impairs migration of cells to cannabinoid agonist HU210 [(6aR)-trans-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-6H-dibenzo [b,d] pyran-9-methanol]. Oral administration of the Sch.336 significantly inhibited leukocyte trafficking in several rodent in vivo models, induced either by specific chemokines or by antigen challenge. Finally, oral administration of Sch.336 blocked ovalbumin-induced lung eosinophilia in mice, a disease model for allergic asthma. We conclude that selective cannabinoid CB(2) inverse agonists may serve as novel immunomodulatory agents in the treatment of a broad range of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders in which leukocyte recruitment is a hallmark of disease pathology.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use
- CHO Cells
- Camphanes/pharmacology
- Camphanes/therapeutic use
- Cannabinoids/pharmacology
- Cannabinoids/therapeutic use
- Cell Membrane/drug effects
- Cell Membrane/metabolism
- Chemotaxis, Leukocyte/drug effects
- Cricetinae
- Cricetulus
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Female
- Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/metabolism
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed/drug therapy
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Protein Binding
- Pulmonary Eosinophilia/drug therapy
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Pyrazoles/therapeutic use
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/biosynthesis
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Lunn
- New Lead Discovery, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Huffman JW, Bushell SM, Joshi SN, Wiley JL, Martin BR. Enantioselective synthesis of 1-methoxy- and 1-deoxy-2'-methyl-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols: new selective ligands for the CB2 receptor. Bioorg Med Chem 2005; 14:247-62. [PMID: 16165365 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2005] [Accepted: 08/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Two new series of cannabinoids were prepared and their affinities for the CB1 and CB2 receptors were determined. These series are the (2'R)- and (2'S)-1-methoxy- and 1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylalkyl)-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols, with alkyl side chains of three to seven carbon atoms. These compounds were prepared by a route that employed the enantioselective synthesis of the resorcinol precursors to the cannabinoid ring system. All of these compounds have greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than the CB1 receptor and four of them, (2'R)-1-methoxy-3-(2'-methylbutyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-359), (2'S)-1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylbutyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-352), (2'S)-1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylpentyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-255), and (2'R)-1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylpentyl)-delta8-THC (JWH-255), have good affinity (K(i) = 13-47 nM) for the CB2 receptor and little affinity (K(i) = 1493 to >10,000 nM) for the CB1 receptor. In the 1-deoxy-3-(2'-methylalkyl)-delta8-THC series, the 2'S-methyl compounds in general have greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than the corresponding 2'R isomers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Huffman
- Howard L. Hunter Laboratory, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0973, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Huffman JW, Szklennik PV, Almond A, Bushell K, Selley DE, He H, Cassidy MP, Wiley JL, Martin BR. 1-Pentyl-3-phenylacetylindoles, a new class of cannabimimetic indoles. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 15:4110-3. [PMID: 16005223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2005] [Revised: 05/30/2005] [Accepted: 06/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A new class of cannabimimetic indoles, with 3-phenylacetyl or substituted 3-phenylacetyl substituents, has been prepared and their affinities for the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors have been determined. In general those compounds with a 2-substituted phenylacetyl group have good affinity for both receptors. The 4-substituted analogs have little affinity for either receptor, while the 3-substituted compounds are intermediate in their affinities. Two of these compounds, 1-pentyl-3-(2-methylphenylacetyl)indole (JWH-251) and 1-pentyl-3-(3-methoxyphenylacetyl)indole (JWH-302), have 5-fold selectivity for the CB1 receptor with modest affinity for the CB2 receptor. GTPgammaS determinations indicate that both compounds are highly efficacious agonists at the CB1 receptor and partial agonists at the CB2 receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Huffman
- Howard L. Hunter Laboratory, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0973, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zheng H, Zhao J, Wang S, Lin CM, Chen T, Jones DH, Ma C, Opella S, Xie XQ. Biosynthesis and purification of a hydrophobic peptide from transmembrane domains of G-protein-coupled CB2 receptor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 65:450-8. [PMID: 15813893 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.2005.00239.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge for the structural study of the seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors is to obtain a sufficient amount of purified protein at the milligram level, which is required for either nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or X-ray crystallography. In order to develop a high-yield and cost-effective method, and also to obtain preliminary structural information for the computer modeling of the three-dimensional receptor structural model, a highly hydrophobic peptide from human cannabinoid subtype 2 receptor CB2(65-101), was chosen to develop high-yield membrane protein expression and purification methods. The peptide included the second transmembrane helix with the associated loop regions of the CB2 receptor. It was over-expressed in Escherichia coli, with a modified TrpDelta LE1413 (TrpLE) leading fusion sequence and a nine-histidine tag, and was then separated and purified from the tag in a preparative scale. An experimental protocol for the chemical cleavage of membrane protein fragment was developed using cyanogen bromide to remove the TrpLE tag from the hydrophobic fusion protein. In addition, protein uniformly labeled with isotopic 15N was obtained by expression in 15N-enriched minimum media. The developed and optimized preparation scheme of expression, cleavage, and purification provided a sufficient amount of peptide for NMR structure analysis and other biophysical studies that will be reported elsewhere. The process of fusion protein cleavage following purification was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS), and the final sample was validated by MS and circular dichroism experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-5037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Di Marzo V, De Petrocellis L, Bisogno T. Endocannabinoids Part I: molecular basis of endocannabinoid formation, action and inactivation and development of selective inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2005; 5:241-65. [PMID: 15992179 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.5.2.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of specific receptors for Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive component of marijuana, opened new horizons for the possible therapeutic exploitation of Cannabis sativa and the cannabinoids. Endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors, the 'endocannabinoids', were found and the molecular mechanisms underlying their biological effects and the regulation of their levels are now being identified. Cause/effect relationships between alterations of cannabinoid receptor/endocannabinoid levels in tissues and the symptoms of various pathological states are starting to be revealed. These studies may open the way to the possible use of substances that manipulate endocannabinoid levels and actions, such as inhibitors of the biosynthesis and inactivation and receptor antagonists, as cannabinoid-based therapeutic agents with little or no psychotropic side effect, thus potentially fulfilling an ambition nurtured for almost two centuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Di Marzo
- Istituto per la Chimica di Molecole di Interesse Biologico, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Toiano 6, 80072, Arco Felice (NA), Italy.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Lavey BJ, Kozlowski JA, Hipkin RW, Gonsiorek W, Lundell DJ, Piwinski JJ, Narula S, Lunn CA. Triaryl bis-sulfones as a new class of cannabinoid CB2 receptor inhibitors: identification of a lead and initial SAR studies. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 15:783-6. [PMID: 15664857 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2004.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2004] [Revised: 11/01/2004] [Accepted: 11/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A novel class of cannabinoid CB2 receptor ligands is described. These triaryl bis-sulfones are nanomolar inhibitors of the CB2 receptor and show high selectivity over the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. One example of this new class decreases ligand-induced GTPgammaS binding to recombinant CB2 cell membranes, identifying the compound as a CB2-selective inverse agonist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Lavey
- Department of Chemistry, Schering-Plough Research Institute, 2015 Galloping Hill Road, K-15-1-1545, Kenilworth, NJ 07033-0539, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Huffman JW, Zengin G, Wu MJ, Lu J, Hynd G, Bushell K, Thompson ALS, Bushell S, Tartal C, Hurst DP, Reggio PH, Selley DE, Cassidy MP, Wiley JL, Martin BR. Structure-activity relationships for 1-alkyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indoles at the cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors: steric and electronic effects of naphthoyl substituents. New highly selective CB(2) receptor agonists. Bioorg Med Chem 2005; 13:89-112. [PMID: 15582455 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2004.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2004] [Revised: 09/28/2004] [Accepted: 09/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to improve indole-based CB(2) cannabinoid receptor ligands and also to develop SAR for both the CB(1) and CB(2) receptors, 47 indole derivatives were prepared and their CB(1) and CB(2) receptor affinities were determined. The indole derivatives include 1-propyl- and 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indoles both with and without a 2-methyl substituent. Naphthoyl substituents include 4- and 7-alkyl groups as well as 2-, 4-, 6-, 7-methoxy and 4-ethoxy groups. The effects of these substituents on receptor affinities are discussed and structure-activity relationships are presented. In the course of this work three new highly selective CB(2) receptor agonists were identified, 1-propyl-3-(4-methyl-1-naphthoylindole (JWH-120), 1-propyl-2-methyl-3-(6-methoxy-1-naphthoylindole (JWH-151), and 1-pentyl-3-(2-methoxy-1-naphthoylindole (JWH-267). GTPgammaS assays indicated that JWH-151 is a full agonist at CB(2), while JWH-120 and JWH-267 are partial agonists. Molecular modeling and receptor docking studies were carried out on a set of 3-(4-propyl-1-naphthoyl)indoles, a set of 3-(6-methoxy-1-naphthoyl)indoles and the pair of N-pentyl-3-(2-methoxy-1-naphthoyl)indoles. Docking studies indicated that the CB(1) receptor affinities of these compounds were consistent with their aromatic stacking interactions in the aromatic microdomain of the CB(1) receptor.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Alkylation
- Animals
- Binding, Competitive
- CHO Cells
- Cricetinae
- Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/metabolism
- Indoles/chemistry
- Indoles/metabolism
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
- Mass Spectrometry
- Models, Molecular
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Huffman
- Howard L. Hunter Laboratory, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0973, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
|