“Ligands targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) expressed by microglia have been shown to regulate distinct components of their activation process, including cell proliferation, migration and differentiation into M1 or M2 phenotypes.
Cannabinoids, including the active component of the Cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the synthetic alkylindole (AI) compound, WIN55212-2 (WIN-2), activate two molecularly identified GPCRs: CB1 and CB2 .
Our results suggest that microglia express functional AI-sensitive receptors that control select components of their activation process.
Agonists of these novel targets might represent a novel class of therapeutics to influence the microglial cell activation process. ”