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Fleisher-Berkovich S, Sharon N, Ventura Y, Feinshtein V, Gorelick J, Bernstein N, Ben-Shabat S. Selected cannabis cultivars modulate glial activation: in vitro and in vivo studies. J Cannabis Res 2024; 6:25. [PMID: 38778343 PMCID: PMC11110427 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-024-00232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by neuroinflammation, demyelination and axonal loss. Cannabis, an immunomodulating agent, is known for its ability to treat MS effectively. However, due to variations in the profile of secondary metabolites, especially cannabinoids, among cannabis cultivars, the effectiveness of cannabis treatment can vary, with significant variability in the effects on different biological parameters. For screening available cultivars, cellular in vitro as well as pre-clinical in vivo assays, are required to evaluate the effectiveness of the wide range of chemical variability that exists in cannabis cultivars. This study evaluated comparatively three chemically diverse cannabis cultivars, CN2, CN4 and CN6, containing different ratios of phytocannabinoids, for their neuroinflammatory activity in MS model. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro experiments were performed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 microglia and primary glial cells to evaluate the effect of different cannabis cultivars on nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression. An in vivo experiment using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) MS model was conducted using Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) as the activating peptide. The cannabis extracts of the cultivars CN2, CN4, CN6 or vehicle, were intraperitoneally injected with clinical scores given based on observed symptoms over the course of study. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed, and splenocyte cytokine secretion was measured using ELISA. Lumbar sections from the spinal cord of treated MS mice were evaluated for microglia, astrocytes and CD4+ cells. RESULTS Extracts of the CN2 cultivar contained tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) without cannabidiol (CBD), and a number of monoterpenes. CN4 contained cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabidiolic acid (THCA), with significant amounts of THC: CBD in a 1:1 ratio, as well as sesquiterpenes and some monoterpenes; and CN6 contained primarily CBDA and THCA, as well as THC and CBD in a 2:1 ratio, with some sesquiterpenes and no monoterpenes. All extracts were not cytotoxic in glial cells up to 50 µg/ml. Dose dependent inhibition of LPS-induced BV2 as well as primary microglial NO secretion confirmed the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity of the three cannabis cultivars. CN2 but not CN4 reduced both astrocytosis and microglial activation in lumbar sections of EAE mice. In contrast, CN4 but not CN2 significantly decreased the secretion of TNFα and Interferon γ (IFNγ) in primary splenocytes extracted from EAE mice. CONCLUSIONS While both cannabis cultivars, CN2 and CN4, significantly reduced the severity of the clinical signs throughout the course of the study, they modulated different inflammatory mediators and pathways, probably due to differences in their phytocannabinoid composition. This demonstrates the differential potential of cannabis cultivars differing in chemotype to regulate neuroinflammation and their potential to treat MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Fleisher-Berkovich
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Nitzan Sharon
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yvonne Ventura
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Valeria Feinshtein
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jonathan Gorelick
- Eastern Regional Research and Development Center, Judea Center, 90100, Kiryat Arba, Israel
| | - Nirit Bernstein
- Institute of Soil Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion, Israel.
| | - Shimon Ben-Shabat
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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Polini B, Zallocco L, Gado F, Ferrisi R, Ricardi C, Zuccarini M, Carnicelli V, Manera C, Ronci M, Lucacchini A, Zucchi R, Giusti L, Chiellini G. A Proteomic Approach Identified TFEB as a Key Player in the Protective Action of Novel CB2R Bitopic Ligand FD22a against the Deleterious Effects Induced by β-Amyloid in Glial Cells. Cells 2024; 13:875. [PMID: 38786097 PMCID: PMC11119469 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100875] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are progressive multifactorial disorders of the nervous system sharing common pathogenic features, including intracellular misfolded protein aggregation, mitochondrial deficit, and inflammation. Taking into consideration the multifaceted nature of NDDs, development of multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs) has evolved as an attractive therapeutic strategy. Compounds that target the cannabinoid receptor type II (CB2R) are rapidly emerging as novel effective MTDLs against common NDDs, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). We recently developed the first CB2R bitopic/dualsteric ligand, namely FD22a, which revealed the ability to induce neuroprotection with fewer side effects. To explore the potential of FD22a as a multitarget drug for the treatment of NDDs, we investigated here its ability to prevent the toxic effect of β-amyloid (Aβ25-35 peptide) on human cellular models of neurodegeneration, such as microglia (HMC3) and glioblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines. Our results displayed that FD22a efficiently prevented Aβ25-35 cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects in both cell lines and counteracted β-amyloid-induced depression of autophagy in U87-MG cells. Notably, a quantitative proteomic analysis of U87-MG cells revealed that FD22a was able to potently stimulate the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) by activating its master transcriptional regulator TFEB, ultimately increasing the potential of this novel CB2R bitopic/dualsteric ligand as a multitarget drug for the treatment of NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Polini
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (B.P.); (C.R.); (V.C.); (R.Z.)
| | - Lorenzo Zallocco
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Francesca Gado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.G.); (R.F.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Rebecca Ferrisi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.G.); (R.F.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Caterina Ricardi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (B.P.); (C.R.); (V.C.); (R.Z.)
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (M.Z.); (M.R.)
| | - Vittoria Carnicelli
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (B.P.); (C.R.); (V.C.); (R.Z.)
| | | | - Maurizio Ronci
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (M.Z.); (M.R.)
- Interuniversitary Consortium for Engineering and Medicine (COIIM), 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Antonio Lucacchini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Zucchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (B.P.); (C.R.); (V.C.); (R.Z.)
| | - Laura Giusti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Grazia Chiellini
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (B.P.); (C.R.); (V.C.); (R.Z.)
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More SA, Deore RS, Pawar HD, Sharma C, Nakhate KT, Rathod SS, Ojha S, Goyal SN. CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor as a Potential Target in Myocardial Infarction: Exploration of Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1683. [PMID: 38338960 PMCID: PMC10855244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The lipid endocannabinoid system has recently emerged as a novel therapeutic target for several inflammatory and tissue-damaging diseases, including those affecting the cardiovascular system. The primary targets of cannabinoids are cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) receptors. The CB2 receptor is expressed in the cardiomyocytes. While the pathological changes in the myocardium upregulate the CB2 receptor, genetic deletion of the receptor aggravates the changes. The CB2 receptor plays a crucial role in attenuating the advancement of myocardial infarction (MI)-associated pathological changes in the myocardium. Activation of CB2 receptors exerts cardioprotection in MI via numerous molecular pathways. For instance, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol attenuated the progression of MI via modulation of the CB2 receptor-dependent anti-inflammatory mechanisms, including suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Through similar mechanisms, natural and synthetic CB2 receptor ligands repair myocardial tissue damage. This review aims to offer an in-depth discussion on the ameliorative potential of CB2 receptors in myocardial injuries induced by a variety of pathogenic mechanisms. Further, the modulation of autophagy, TGF-β/Smad3 signaling, MPTP opening, and ROS production are discussed. The molecular correlation of CB2 receptors with cardiac injury markers, such as troponin I, LDH1, and CK-MB, is explored. Special attention has been paid to novel insights into the potential therapeutic implications of CB2 receptor activation in MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar A. More
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.A.M.); (R.S.D.); (H.D.P.); (K.T.N.); (S.S.R.)
| | - Rucha S. Deore
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.A.M.); (R.S.D.); (H.D.P.); (K.T.N.); (S.S.R.)
| | - Harshal D. Pawar
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.A.M.); (R.S.D.); (H.D.P.); (K.T.N.); (S.S.R.)
| | - Charu Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Kartik T. Nakhate
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.A.M.); (R.S.D.); (H.D.P.); (K.T.N.); (S.S.R.)
| | - Sumit S. Rathod
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.A.M.); (R.S.D.); (H.D.P.); (K.T.N.); (S.S.R.)
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sameer N. Goyal
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.A.M.); (R.S.D.); (H.D.P.); (K.T.N.); (S.S.R.)
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Rathod SS, Agrawal YO, Nakhate KT, Meeran MFN, Ojha S, Goyal SN. Neuroinflammation in the Central Nervous System: Exploring the Evolving Influence of Endocannabinoid System. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2642. [PMID: 37893016 PMCID: PMC10604915 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process that typically originates as a protective response in the brain. This inflammatory process is triggered by the release of pro-inflammatory substances like cytokines, prostaglandins, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species from stimulated endothelial and glial cells, including those with pro-inflammatory functions, in the outer regions. While neuronal inflammation is common in various central nervous system disorders, the specific inflammatory pathways linked with different immune-mediated cell types and the various factors influencing the blood-brain barrier significantly contribute to disease-specific characteristics. The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous cannabinoids, and enzymes responsible for synthesizing and metabolizing endocannabinoids. The primary cannabinoid receptor is CB1, predominantly found in specific brain regions such as the brainstem, cerebellum, hippocampus, and cortex. The presence of CB2 receptors in certain brain components, like cultured cerebellar granular cells, Purkinje fibers, and microglia, as well as in the areas like the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum is also evidenced by immunoblotting assays, radioligand binding, and autoradiography studies. Both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors exhibit noteworthy physiological responses and possess diverse neuromodulatory capabilities. This review primarily aims to outline the distribution of CB1 and CB2 receptors across different brain regions and explore their potential roles in regulating neuroinflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit S. Rathod
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.S.R.); (Y.O.A.); (K.T.N.)
- Department of Pharmacy, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Yogeeta O. Agrawal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.S.R.); (Y.O.A.); (K.T.N.)
| | - Kartik T. Nakhate
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.S.R.); (Y.O.A.); (K.T.N.)
| | - M. F. Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Sameer N. Goyal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India; (S.S.R.); (Y.O.A.); (K.T.N.)
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5
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Low ZXB, Lee XR, Soga T, Goh BH, Alex D, Kumari Y. Cannabinoids: Emerging sleep modulator. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115102. [PMID: 37406510 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115102] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is an essential biological phase of our daily life cycle and is necessary for maintaining homeostasis, alertness, metabolism, cognition, and other key functions across the animal kingdom. Dysfunctional sleep leads to deleterious effects on health, mood, and cognition, including memory deficits and an increased risk of diabetes, stroke, and neurological disorders. Sleep is regulated by several brain neuronal circuits, neuromodulators, and neurotransmitters, where cannabinoids have been increasingly found to play a part in its modulation. Cannabinoids, a group of lipid metabolites, are regulatory molecules that bind mainly to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Much evidence supports the role of cannabinoid receptors in the modulation of sleep, where their alteration exhibits sleep-promoting effects, including an increase in non-rapid-eye movement sleep and a reduction in sleep latency. However, the pharmacological alteration of CB1 receptors is associated with adverse psychotropic effects, which are not exhibited in CB2 receptor alteration. Hence, selective alteration of CB2 receptors is also of clinical importance, where it could potentially be used in treating sleep disorders. Thus, it is crucial to understand the neurobiological basis of cannabinoids in sleep physiology. In this review article, the alteration of the endocannabinoid system by various cannabinoids and their respective effects on the sleep-wake cycle are discussed based on recent findings. The mechanisms of the cannabinoid receptors on sleep and wakefulness are also explored for their clinical implications and potential therapeutic use on sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xuen Brandon Low
- Neurological Disorder and Aging Research Group (NDA), Neuroscience Research Strength (NRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xin Ru Lee
- Neurological Disorder and Aging Research Group (NDA), Neuroscience Research Strength (NRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tomoko Soga
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bey Hing Goh
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Deepa Alex
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yatinesh Kumari
- Neurological Disorder and Aging Research Group (NDA), Neuroscience Research Strength (NRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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Kasatkina LA, Rittchen S, Sturm EM. Neuroprotective and Immunomodulatory Action of the Endocannabinoid System under Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115431. [PMID: 34063947 PMCID: PMC8196612 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid-based retrograde messengers with a relatively short half-life that are produced endogenously and, upon binding to the primary cannabinoid receptors CB1/2, mediate multiple mechanisms of intercellular communication within the body. Endocannabinoid signaling is implicated in brain development, memory formation, learning, mood, anxiety, depression, feeding behavior, analgesia, and drug addiction. It is now recognized that the endocannabinoid system mediates not only neuronal communications but also governs the crosstalk between neurons, glia, and immune cells, and thus represents an important player within the neuroimmune interface. Generation of primary endocannabinoids is accompanied by the production of their congeners, the N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), which together with N-acylneurotransmitters, lipoamino acids and primary fatty acid amides comprise expanded endocannabinoid/endovanilloid signaling systems. Most of these compounds do not bind CB1/2, but signal via several other pathways involving the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and non-cannabinoid G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs) to mediate anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective activities. In vivo generation of the cannabinoid compounds is triggered by physiological and pathological stimuli and, specifically in the brain, mediates fine regulation of synaptic strength, neuroprotection, and resolution of neuroinflammation. Here, we review the role of the endocannabinoid system in intrinsic neuroprotective mechanisms and its therapeutic potential for the treatment of neuroinflammation and associated synaptopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila A. Kasatkina
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (L.A.K.); (S.R.)
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Sonja Rittchen
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (L.A.K.); (S.R.)
| | - Eva M. Sturm
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (L.A.K.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Greco R, Demartini C, Zanaboni AM, Tumelero E, Icco RD, Sances G, Allena M, Tassorelli C. Peripheral changes of endocannabinoid system components in episodic and chronic migraine patients: A pilot study. Cephalalgia 2020; 41:185-196. [PMID: 32967434 DOI: 10.1177/0333102420949201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests a role for the dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system in migraine pain, particularly in subjects with chronic migraine. METHODS The gene expression of endocannabinoid system components was assayed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 25 subjects with episodic migraine, 26 subjects with chronic migraine with medication overuse (CM-MO) and 24 age-matched healthy controls. We also evaluated the protein expression of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 as well as DNA methylation changes in genes involved in endocannabinoid system components. RESULTS Both episodic migraine and CM-MO subjects showed higher cannabinoid receptor 1 and cannabinoid receptor 2 gene and protein expression compared to controls. Fatty acid amide hydrolase gene expression, involved in anandamide degradation, was lower in migraine groups compared to healthy control subjects. N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D gene expression was significantly higher in all migraineurs, as were monoacylglycerol lipase and diacylglycerol lipase gene expressions. The above markers significantly correlated with the number of migraine days and with the days of acute drug intake. CONCLUSION The findings point to transcriptional changes in endocannabinoid system components occurring in migraineurs. These changes were detected peripherally, which make them amenable for a wider adoption to further investigate their role and applicability in the clinical field.clinicaltrials.gov NTC04324710.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Greco
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria Zanaboni
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Tumelero
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto De Icco
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Grazia Sances
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Allena
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Headache Science Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Zhang D, Liu X, Dong X, Zhu R, Jiang J, Ye Y, Jiang Y. Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Antagonists Play a Neuroprotective Role in Chronic Alcoholic Hippocampal Injury Related to Pyroptosis Pathway. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1585-1597. [PMID: 32524615 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders affect millions of people worldwide, and there is growing evidence that excessive alcohol intake causes severe damage to the brain of both humans and animals. Numerous studies on chronic alcohol exposure in animal models have identified that many functional impairments are associated with the hippocampus, which is a structure exhibiting substantial vulnerability to alcohol exposure. However, the precise mechanisms that lead to structural and functional impairments of the hippocampus are poorly understood. Herein, we report a novel cell death type, namely pyroptosis, which accounts for alcohol neurotoxicity in mice. METHODS For this study, we used an in vivo model to induce alcohol-related neurotoxicity in the hippocampus. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were treated with 95% alcohol vapor either alone or in combination with selective cannabinoid receptor antagonists or agonists, and VX765 (Belnacasan), which is a selective caspase-1 inhibitor. RESULTS Alcohol-induced in vivo pyroptosis occurs because of an increase in the levels of pyroptotic proteins such as nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and amplified inflammatory response. Our results indicated that VX765 suppressed the expression of caspase-1 and inhibited the maturation of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Additionally, chronic alcohol intake created an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system and regulated 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R) in the hippocampus. Specific antagonists of CB1R (AM251 and AM281) significantly ameliorated alcohol-induced pyroptosis signaling and inactivated the inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol induces hippocampal pyroptosis, which leads to neurotoxicity, thereby indicating that pyroptosis may be an essential pathway involved in chronic alcohol-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity. Furthermore, cannabinoid receptors are regulated during this process, which suggests promising therapeutic strategies against alcohol-induced neurotoxicity through pharmacologic inhibition of CB1R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingang Zhang
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochen Liu
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoru Dong
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongzhe Zhu
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieqing Jiang
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghong Ye
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Jiang
- From the, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Charytoniuk T, Zywno H, Konstantynowicz-Nowicka K, Berk K, Bzdega W, Chabowski A. Can Physical Activity Support the Endocannabinoid System in the Preventive and Therapeutic Approach to Neurological Disorders? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4221. [PMID: 32545780 PMCID: PMC7352563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, such as depression or Alzheimer's disease, has spread extensively throughout the last decades, becoming an enormous health issue. Numerous data indicate a distinct correlation between the altered endocannabinoid signaling and different aspects of brain physiology, such as memory or neurogenesis. Moreover, the endocannabinoid system is widely regarded as a crucial factor in the development of neuropathologies. Thus, targeting those disorders via synthetic cannabinoids, as well as phytocannabinoids, becomes a widespread research issue. Over the last decade, the endocannabinoid system has been extensively studied for its correlation with physical activity. Recent data showed that physical activity correlates with elevated endocannabinoid serum concentrations and increased cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) expression in the brain, which results in positive neurological effects including antidepressant effect, ameliorated memory, neuroplasticity development, and reduced neuroinflammation. However, none of the prior reviews presented a comprehensive correlation between physical activity, the endocannabinoid system, and neuropathologies. Thus, our review provides a current state of knowledge of the endocannabinoid system, its action in physical activity, as well as neuropathologies and a possible correlation between all those fields. We believe that this might contribute to finding a new preventive and therapeutic approach to both neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Charytoniuk
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Białystok, Poland; (H.Z.); (K.K.-N.); (K.B.); (W.B.); (A.C.)
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10
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A Systematic Review of Essential Oils and the Endocannabinoid System: A Connection Worthy of Further Exploration. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8035301. [PMID: 32508955 PMCID: PMC7246407 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8035301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aromatic compounds have a long history of use as medicines in most recorded cultures. An increasing interest in these therapeutic volatile molecules in both scientific and lay communities has led to the advancement of essential oils as phytomedicines. Recent discoveries suggest essential oils augment the endocannabinoid system in a positive manner to mitigate various pathologies. However, the exact mechanisms whereby essential oils influence endocannabinoid system activity are not fully known, these studies provide a glimpse into their involvement and warrant further evaluation. Additional study of the interaction between essential oils and the endocannabinoid system may lead to promising phytomedicines for the treatment of diseases and conditions involving dysregulation or activation of the endocannabinoid system.
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11
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The Endocannabinoid System and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Preclinical Models of Seizure and Epilepsy. J Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 37:15-27. [PMID: 31895186 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids are compounds that are structurally and/or functionally related to the primary psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, [INCREMENT]-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabinoids can be divided into three broad categories: endogenous cannabinoids, plant-derived cannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). Recently, there has been an unprecedented surge of interest into the pharmacological and medicinal properties of cannabinoids for the treatment of epilepsies. This surge has been stimulated by an ongoing shift in societal opinions about cannabinoid-based medicines and evidence that cannabidiol, a nonintoxicating plant cannabinoid, has demonstrable anticonvulsant activity in children with treatment-refractory epilepsy. The major receptors of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS)-the type 1 and 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R, CB2R)-have critical roles in the modulation of neurotransmitter release and inflammation, respectively; so, it is not surprising therefore that the ECS is being considered as a target for the treatment of epilepsy. SCs were developed as potential new drug candidates and tool compounds for studying the ECS. Beyond the plant cannabinoids, an extensive research effort is underway to determine whether SCs that directly target CB1R, CB2R, or the enzymes that breakdown endogenous cannabinoids have anticonvulsant effects in preclinical rodent models of epilepsy and seizure. This research demonstrates that many SCs do reduce seizure severity in rodent models and may have both positive and negative pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions with clinically used antiepilepsy drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the preclinical evidence for and against SC modulation of seizure and discuss the important questions that need to be addressed in future studies.
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12
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Wang J, Zhang X, Yang C, Zhao S. Effect of monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition on intestinal permeability in chronic stress model. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 525:962-967. [PMID: 32173532 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.02.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an anti-nociceptive lipid, which is inactivated through cellular uptake and subsequent catabolism by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The present study aimed to explore the effects of inhibition of MAGL on intestinal permeability. We first tested it in differentiated CaCO2 cells after 21 days' culture. The rat model of water avoidance stress (WAS) was established, and rats were divided into four groups according to intervention. Rats received intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of an MAGL inhibitor (JZL184) alone, JZL184 and a the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist (SR141716A), JZL184 and a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) receptor antagonist (AM630) or vehicle alone (control). We analyzed the fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FD4) permeability and 2-AG level. Expression of MAGL and tight-junction-associated proteins were detected by western blot. Compared with the control group, MAGL expression was higher and 2-AG levels lower among WAS rats. Intestinal permeability was increased following administration of JZL184 which occurred due to up-regulation of tight-junction-associated proteins Claudin-1, Claudin-2, Claudin-5 and Occludin. The effects of MAGL inhibition were mediated by CB1, indicating that MAGL may represent a novel target for the treatment of reduced intestinal permeability in the context of chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Weiqi Rd, Jinan, 250021, China.
| | - Xiaohua Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Weiqi Rd, Jinan, 250021, China.
| | - Chongmei Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Weiqi Rd, Jinan, 250021, China.
| | - Shulei Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Weiqi Rd, Jinan, 250021, China.
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13
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Velikova M, Doncheva D, Tashev R. Subchronic effects of ligands of cannabinoid receptors on learning and memory processes of olfactory bulbectomized rats. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2020. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2020-025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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14
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Lamani M, Malamas MS, Farah SI, Shukla VG, Almeida MF, Weerts CM, Anderson J, Wood JT, Farizatto KLG, Bahr BA, Makriyannis A. Piperidine and piperazine inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase targeting excitotoxic pathology. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:115096. [PMID: 31629610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
FAAH inhibitors offer safety advantages by augmenting the anandamide levels "on demand" to promote neuroprotective mechanisms without the adverse psychotropic effects usually seen with direct and chronic activation of the CB1 receptor. FAAH is an enzyme implicated in the hydrolysis of the endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), which is a partial agonist of the CB1 receptor. Herein, we report the discovery of a new series of highly potent and selective carbamate FAAH inhibitors and their evaluation for neuroprotection. The new inhibitors showed potent nanomolar inhibitory activity against human recombinant and purified rat FAAH, were selective (>1000-fold) against serine hydrolases MGL and ABHD6 and lacked any affinity for the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Evaluation of FAAH inhibitors 9 and 31 using the in vitro competitive activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) assay confirmed that both inhibitors were highly selective for FAAH in the brain, since none of the other FP-reactive serine hydrolases in this tissue were inhibited by these agents. Our design strategy followed a traditional SAR approach and was supported by molecular modeling studies based on known FAAH cocrystal structures. To rationally design new molecules that are irreversibly bound to FAAH, we have constructed "precovalent" FAAH-ligand complexes to identify good binding geometries of the ligands within the binding pocket of FAAH and then calculated covalent docking poses to select compounds for synthesis. FAAH inhibitors 9 and 31 were evaluated for neuroprotection in rat hippocampal slice cultures. In the brain tissue, both inhibitors displayed protection against synaptic deterioration produced by kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity. Thus, the resultant compounds produced through rational design are providing early leads for developing therapeutics against seizure-related damage associated with a variety of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjunath Lamani
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Michael S Malamas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA.
| | - Shrouq I Farah
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Vidyanand G Shukla
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Michael F Almeida
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina-Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA
| | - Catherine M Weerts
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Joseph Anderson
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - JodiAnne T Wood
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Karen L G Farizatto
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina-Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA
| | - Ben A Bahr
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina-Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02155, USA
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15
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Páez JA, Campillo NE. Innovative Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoid Receptors as Targets in Alzheimer’s Disease and Less Well-Known Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:3300-3340. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180226095132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
:
The discovery of cannabinoid receptors at the beginning of the 1990s, CB1 cloned
in 1990 and CB2 cloned in 1993, and the availability of selective and potent cannabimimetics
could only be justified by the existence of endogenous ligands that are capable of binding to
them. Thus, the characterisation and cloning of the first cannabinoid receptor (CB1) led to the
isolation and characterisation of the first endocannabinoid, arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA),
two years later and the subsequent identification of a family of lipid transmitters known as the
fatty acid ester 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
:
The endogenous cannabinoid system is a complex signalling system that comprises transmembrane
endocannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands (the endocannabinoids), the
specific uptake mechanisms and the enzymatic systems related to their biosynthesis and degradation.
:
The endocannabinoid system has been implicated in a wide diversity of biological processes,
in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, including memory, learning, neuronal development,
stress and emotions, food intake, energy regulation, peripheral metabolism, and
the regulation of hormonal balance through the endocrine system.
:
In this context, this article will review the current knowledge of the therapeutic potential of
cannabinoid receptor as a target in Alzheimer’s disease and other less well-known diseases
that include, among others, multiple sclerosis, bone metabolism, and Fragile X syndrome.
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The therapeutic applications will be addressed through the study of cannabinoid agonists acting
as single drugs and multi-target drugs highlighting the CB2 receptor agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A. Páez
- Instituto de Quimica Medica (IQM-CSIC). C/ Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria E. Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas (CIB-CSIC). C/ Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Cannabinoid receptor 2 deletion deteriorates myocardial infarction through the down-regulation of AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling-mediated autophagy. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20180650. [PMID: 30923227 PMCID: PMC6487266 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20180650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) has been reported to play an important role in the regulation of pathogenesis and progression of myocardial infarction (MI). Here we tried to investigate its potential mechanisms. The ratio of infarct size in heart issue was detected by TTC staining, and cardiac functions were calculated according to echocardiographic evaluation. Cell viability in cardiomyocytes was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Western blot was used to detect autophagy-related proteins including Beclin-1, LC3, p62, adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin rabbit (mTOR)-p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) signaling-related proteins including AMPK, mTOR, p70S6K, and their phosphorylation formation. Rapamycin was used for the induction of autophagy. Cleaved caspase-3 and Bax were detected for analyzing apoptosis. TEM was used for the detection of autophagosomes. We found that CB2R deletion (CB2R KO) largely deteriorated the severity of MI and the cardiac function as well as cell viability of cardiomyocytes. Knocking out CB2R decreased the level of autophagy in heart issues from MI mice as well as cardiomyocytes under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Furthermore, CB2R dysfunction significantly attenuated the cardiac protective effects of rapamycin both in vivo and in vitro Finally, we found that CB2R-mediated autophagy was induced by AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway. Our current study demonstrated for the first time that CB2R deletion led to a detrimental effect of MI through the dysfunction of AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway, which might provide a novel insight in the treatment of MI.
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18
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Garzinsky D, Zahov S, Ekodo Voundi M, Hanekamp W, Lehr M. Tetrazolylpropan-2-ones as inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase: Studies on structure-activity relationships and metabolic stability. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 160:183-192. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Wood PL, Cebak JE, Woltjer RL. Diacylglycerols as biomarkers of sustained immune activation in Proteinopathies associated with dementia. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 476:107-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Bagher AM, Laprairie RB, Kelly MEM, Denovan-Wright EM. Methods to Quantify Cell Signaling and GPCR Receptor Ligand Bias: Characterization of Drugs that Target the Endocannabinoid Receptors in Huntington's Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1780:549-571. [PMID: 29856035 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7825-0_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) interact with multiple intracellular effector proteins such that different ligands may preferentially activate one signal pathway over others, a phenomenon known as signaling bias. Signaling bias can be quantified to optimize drug selection for preclinical research. Here, we describe moderate-throughput methods to quantify signaling bias of known and novel compounds. In the example provided, we describe a method to define cannabinoid-signaling bias in a cell culture model of Huntington's disease (HD). Decreasing type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) levels is correlated with chorea and cognitive deficits in HD. There is evidence that elevating CB1 levels and/or signaling may be beneficial for HD patients while decreasing CB1 levels and/or signaling may be detrimental. Recent studies have found that Gαi/o-biased CB1 agonists activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), increase CB1 protein levels, and improve viability of cells expressing mutant huntingtin. In contrast, CB1 agonists that are β-arrestin1-biased were found to reduce CB1 protein levels and cell viability. Measuring agonist bias of known and novel CB1 agonists will provide important data that predict CB1-specific agonists that might be beneficial in animal models of HD and, following animal testing, in HD patients. This method can also be applied to study signaling bias for other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina M Bagher
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA, Saudi Arabia
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Melanie E M Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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21
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Neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids nanoplatforms in neurodegenerative diseases. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2017.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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22
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Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors, such as the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), have been shown to interact with multiple binding partners to transmit signals. In both transfected cell systems and in endogenously expressing cell lines, CB1R signaling has been described as multifaceted. The question remains as to how this highly widely expressed receptor signals in a given cell at a given time in vivo. The concept of functional selectivity, or biased agonism, describes the ability of an agonist to engage the receptor in a manner that preferentially engages certain signaling interactions (e.g., G proteins) over others (e.g., β-arrestins), presumably by stabilizing certain receptor conformations. There is growing interest in using such properties of ligands to direct signaling downstream of CB1R toward desirable therapeutic outcomes and to avoid adverse side effects. While it is not currently clear what pathways should be engaged and which should be avoided, the development of biased agonist tool compounds will aid in answering these questions. In this chapter, we discuss the approaches and caveats to assessing biased agonism at the CB1R.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward L Stahl
- The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Laura M Bohn
- The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, United States.
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Badal S, Smith KN, Rajnarayanan R. Analysis of natural product regulation of cannabinoid receptors in the treatment of human disease. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 180:24-48. [PMID: 28583800 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The organized, tightly regulated signaling relays engaged by the cannabinoid receptors (CBs) and their ligands, G proteins and other effectors, together constitute the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system governs many biological functions including cell proliferation, regulation of ion transport and neuronal messaging. This review will firstly examine the physiology of the ECS, briefly discussing some anomalies in the relay of the ECS signaling as these are consequently linked to maladies of global concern including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease and cancer. While endogenous ligands are crucial for dispatching messages through the ECS, there are also commonalities in binding affinities with copious exogenous ligands, both natural and synthetic. Therefore, this review provides a comparative analysis of both types of exogenous ligands with emphasis on natural products given their putative safer efficacy and the role of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in uncovering the ECS. Efficacy is congruent to both types of compounds but noteworthy is the effect of a combination therapy to achieve efficacy without unideal side-effects. An example is Sativex that displayed promise in treating Huntington's disease (HD) in preclinical models allowing for its transition to current clinical investigation. Despite the in vitro and preclinical efficacy of Δ9-THC to treat neurodegenerative ailments, its psychotropic effects limit its clinical applicability to treating feeding disorders. We therefore propose further investigation of other compounds and their combinations such as the triterpene, α,β-amyrin that exhibited greater binding affinity to CB1 than CB2 and was more potent than Δ9-THC and the N-alkylamides that exhibited CB2 selective affinity; the latter can be explored towards peripherally exclusive ECS modulation. The synthetic CB1 antagonist, Rimonabant was pulled from commercial markets for the treatment of diabetes, however its analogue SR144528 maybe an ideal lead molecule towards this end and HU-210 and Org27569 are also promising synthetic small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Badal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
| | - K N Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - R Rajnarayanan
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14228, USA
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Szaflarski M, Sirven JI. Social factors in marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes. Epilepsy Behav 2017; 70:280-287. [PMID: 28132734 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Of all the various treatment options for epilepsy, no other therapy comes close to the polarity that cannabis engenders. The rationale for this reaction is firmly rooted in the social factors that enshroud the use of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes. In order to best understand how to approach this controversial treatment, it is essential to explore the social, demographic, and historical variables that have led to the current opinions on cannabis therapy and how this has converged on epilepsy treatment. Utilizing a sociological conceptual framework, this review discusses in depth the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of cannabis use in the US for medical purposes and its impact on epilepsy treatment. Moreover, it posits that cannabis therapy and the opinions surrounding its use are products of history and assesses this treatment option through the lens of our current times. This article is part of a Special Issue titled Cannabinoids and Epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Szaflarski
- Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, HHB 460H, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1152, USA.
| | - Joseph I Sirven
- Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
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25
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Alberti TB, Barbosa WLR, Vieira JLF, Raposo NRB, Dutra RC. (-)-β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Motor Paralysis and Neuroinflammation in a Murine Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040691. [PMID: 28368293 PMCID: PMC5412277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
(−)-β-caryophyllene (BCP), a cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2)-selective phytocannabinoid, has already been shown in precedent literature to exhibit both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Herein, we endeavored to investigate the therapeutic potential of BCP on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Furthermore, we sought to demonstrate some of the mechanisms that underlie the modulation BCP exerts on autoimmune activated T cells, the pro-inflammatory scenery of the central nervous system (CNS), and demyelination. Our findings demonstrate that BCP significantly ameliorates both the clinical and pathological parameters of EAE. In addition, data hereby presented indicates that mechanisms underlying BCP immunomodulatory effect seems to be linked to its ability to inhibit microglial cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, as well as protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it diminished axonal demyelination and modulated Th1/Treg immune balance through the activation of CB2 receptor. Altogether, our study represents significant implications for clinical research and strongly supports the effectiveness of BCP as a novel molecule to target in the development of effective therapeutic agents for MS.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology
- Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/pharmacology
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Demyelinating Diseases/prevention & control
- Disease Models, Animal
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/physiopathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/prevention & control
- Female
- Humans
- Hyperalgesia/prevention & control
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Microglia/drug effects
- Microglia/metabolism
- Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism
- Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology
- Multiple Sclerosis/prevention & control
- Neurogenic Inflammation/metabolism
- Neurogenic Inflammation/physiopathology
- Neurogenic Inflammation/prevention & control
- Paralysis/metabolism
- Paralysis/physiopathology
- Paralysis/prevention & control
- Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Th1 Cells/drug effects
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th1 Cells/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Barbosa Alberti
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Immunopharmacology (LAIF), Department of Health Sciences, Center of Araranguá, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Araranguá 88906-072, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Nádia Rezende Barbosa Raposo
- Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (NUPICS), Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Cypriano Dutra
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Immunopharmacology (LAIF), Department of Health Sciences, Center of Araranguá, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Araranguá 88906-072, Brazil.
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