Tag Archives: cannabinoid receptors

Cannabinoid receptor ligands mediate growth inhibition and cell death in mantle cell lymphoma.

Posted on by

“We have earlier reported overexpression of the central and peripheral cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

In this study, treatment with cannabinoid receptor ligands caused a decrease in viability of MCL cells, while control cells lacking CB1 were not affected.

Our data suggest that cannabinoid receptors may be considered as potential therapeutic targets in MCL.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16337199

“In conclusion, we have found that cannabinoid receptor ligands induce decreased viability, growth suppression and cell death by apoptosis in MCL cells, which express high levels of the CB1 receptor and moderate levels of CB2.

The current results in vitro suggest that CB1/CB2 ligands should be considered as agents for the treatment of MCL.”  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/j.febslet.2005.11.020/full

Expression of cannabinoid receptors type 1 and type 2 in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: growth inhibition by receptor activation.

Posted on by

“Endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in various types of cancer and in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

In this study, we evaluated the expression of cannabinoid receptors type 1 and type 2 (CB1 and CB2) in non-Hodgkin lymphomas of B cell type.

Together, our results suggest that therapies using cannabinoid receptor ligands will have efficiency in reducing tumor burden in malignant lymphoma overexpressing CB1 and CB2.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18546271

The role of cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system in mantle cell lymphoma and other non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Posted on by

“The initiating oncogenic event in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is the translocation of cyclin D1, t(11;14)(q13;q32). However, other genetic aberrations are necessary for an overt lymphoma to arise. Like other B cell lymphomas, MCL at some points during the oncogenesis is dependent on interactions with other cells and factors in the microenvironment.

The G protein coupled receptors cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) are expressed at low levels on non-malignant lymphocytes and at higher levels in MCL and other lymphoma subtypes.

In this review we give an overview of what is known on the role of the cannabinoid receptors and their ligands in lymphoma as compared to non-malignant T and B lymphocytes.

In MCL cannabinoids mainly reduce cell proliferation and induce cell death.

Importantly, our recent findings demonstrate that cannabinoids may induce either apoptosis or another type of programmed cell death, cytoplasmic vacuolation/paraptosis in MCL.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22024769

Expression analysis of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 in B cells during pregnancy and their role on cytokine production.

Posted on by

“The endocannabinoid system consists in a family of lipids that binds to and activates cannabinoid receptors. There are two receptors so far described, the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2).

In the context of pregnancy, the endocannabinoid system was shown participates in different key aspects of reproductive events. B-lymphocytes are pleiotropic cells belonging to the adaptive arm of the immune system. Besides immunoglobulin production, B-lymphocytes were recently shown to be actively involved in antigen presentation as well as cytokine production, thus playing a central role in immunity.

In this study we first aimed to characterize the expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors in B cells during pregnancy and then analyze the impact of their activation in term of cytokine production by B cells from pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

We observed that the expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors in B-lymphocytes is differentially regulated during pregnancy. While CB2 expression is down regulated CB1 is augmented in B-lymphocytes of pregnant mice.

Additionally, the treatment of activated B-lymphocytes with specific CB1 and CB2 agonists, showed a different response in term of cytokine production. Particularly, CB1 against boosted the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by activated B-lymphocytes from pregnant mice.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27163857

Reversal effect of simvastatin on the decrease in cannabinoid receptor 1 density in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rat brains.

Posted on by

“Cannabinoid 1(CB1) receptors are closely correlated to the dopaminergic system and involved in cognitive function. Since statins have been used to regulate the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) via its anti-inflammation and neuroprotective effects, we asked if statins affect the CB1 receptors in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat.

Our data suggest a critical role of CB1 receptors in treating PD with simvastatin, and implicate CB1 receptors as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of PD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27155397

Cannabinoid receptor genes.

Posted on by

“Cannabinoids are the constituents of the marijuana plant (cannabis sativa) of which the major active ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). Rapid progress has been achieved in marijuana research in the last five years than in the thousands of years that marijuana has been used in human history.

For many decades therefore, research on the molecular and neurobiological bases of the physiological and neurobehavioral effects of marijuana was hampered by the lack of specific research tools and technology. The situation has started to change with the availability of molecular probes and other recombinant molecules that have led to major advances.

Recent advances include the cloning of the cDNA sequences encoding the rat, human and the mouse peripheral and CNS cannabinoid receptors. In addition a putative ligand, anandamide, thought to represent the endogenous cannabis-like substance that binds the cannabinoid receptors, has been isolated from the brain.

This achievement has opened a whole new neurochemical system particularly as the physiological and pharmacological properties of anandamide indicate a possible neuromodulatory or neurotransmitter role.

The recent demonstration of a potent and selective antagonist for CBl receptors may become an important and powerful investigative tool. Future progress on the neurobiology of cannabinoid research may include data on the use of antisense strategies and gene targeting approach to further understand the mechanism(s) of action of cannabinoids which has been slow to emerge.

We conclude that these are exciting times for cannabis research which has given us anandamide–a substance of inner bliss.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8804112

The in vitro GcMAF effects on endocannabinoid system transcriptionomics, receptor formation, and cell activity of autism-derived macrophages

Posted on by

Logo of jneuro

“Immune system dysregulation is well-recognized in autism and thought to be part of the etiology of this disorder.

The endocannabinoid system is a key regulator of the immune system via the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) which is highly expressed on macrophages and microglial cells.

The use of the Gc protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF), an endogenous glycosylated vitamin D binding protein responsible for macrophage cell activation has demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of autistic children.

In this current study, we investigated the in vitro effects of GcMAF treatment on the endocannabinoid system gene expression, as well as cellular activation in blood monocyte-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from autistic patients compared to age-matched healthy developing controls.

This study presents the first observations of GcMAF effects on the transcriptionomics of the endocannabinoid system and expression of CB2R protein. These data point to a potential nexus between endocannabinoids, vitamin D and its transporter proteins, and the immune dysregulations observed with autism.

This study demonstrates a biomolecular effect of GcMAF in BMDMs from autistic patients, providing further evidence for a positive use of this molecule in autism treatment. It also seems likely that the CB2R is a potential therapeutic target for Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) interventions.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3996516/

Stimulated CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Inducing Ischemic Tolerance and Protecting Neuron from Cerebral Ischemia.

Posted on by

“Anandamide system is mainly made up of cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands and some related enzymes. Activation of the system mediates various molecular events, thereafter leading to vasodilation, bradycardia and anti-inflammation.

The stimulated cannabinoid receptors may take part in protection of endothelial cells from injury and therefore can be potential targets in therapy for some diseases, especially cardio or cerebral vascular disturbances.

Cerebral ischemia is a deadly disease that modern people have to face and will probably face for a long period of time. Ischemic tolerance has the protective effect of brain as an endogenous event in cerebral ischemia, in which variety of inducers such as transient cerebral ischemia, hypoxia, hypothermia and drug agents are involved.

Most of cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs), a member in G protein-coupled receptor family, exist in central nervous systems.

Mechanism of neuroprotection mediated by the receptor is considered through facilitating neurotransmitter release and regulating other molecular events. In this review, advance of the neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia and the mechanism of the action are overviewed.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27142423

“Cerebral ischemia or brain ischemia, is a condition that occurs when there isn’t enough blood flow to the brain to meet metabolic demand. This leads to limited oxygen supply or cerebral hypoxia and leads to the death of brain tissue, cerebral infarction, or ischemic stroke. It is a sub-type of stroke along with subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage. There are two kinds of ischemia: focal ischemia: confined to a specific region of the brain; global ischemia: encompasses wide areas of brain tissue.”  http://www.columbianeurosurgery.org/conditions/cerebral-ischemia/

Targeting Cannabinoid Receptors in Brain Tumors

Posted on by

Image result for springerlink

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L., act in the body by mimicking endogenous substances — the endocannabinoids — that activate specific cell surface receptors.

Cannabinoids exert various palliative effects in cancer patients. In addition, cannabinoids inhibit the growth of different types of tumor cells, including glioma cells, in laboratory animals. They do so by modulating key cell signaling pathways, mostly the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, thereby inducing antitumoral actions such as the apoptotic death of tumor cells and the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Of interest, cannabinoids seem to be selective antitumoral compounds as they kill glioma cells but not their nontransformed astroglial counterparts.

On the basis of these preclinical findings, a pilot clinical study of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme has been recently run. The fair safety profile of Δ9-THC, together with its possible growth-inhibiting action on tumor cells, may set the basis for future trials aimed at evaluating the potential antitumoral activity of cannabinoids.”

http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-0-387-74349-3_17

Getting into the weed: the role of the endocannabinoid system in the brain-gut axis.

Posted on by

“The actions of cannabis are mediated by receptors that are part of an endogenous cannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of the naturally occurring ligands N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), their biosynthetic and degradative enzymes, and the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.

The ECS is a widely distributed transmitter system that controls gut functions peripherally and centrally. It is an important physiologic regulator of gastrointestinal motility.

Polymorphisms in the gene encoding CB1 (CNR1) have been associated with some forms of irritable bowel syndrome. The ECS is involved in the control of nausea and vomiting and visceral sensation. The homeostatic role of the ECS also extends to the control of intestinal inflammation.

We review the mechanisms by which the ECS links stress and visceral pain. CB1 in sensory ganglia controls visceral sensation, and transcription of CNR1 is modified through epigenetic processes under conditions of chronic stress. These processes might link stress with abdominal pain.

The ECS is also involved centrally in the manifestation of stress, and endocannabinoid signaling reduces the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathways via actions in specific brain regions-notably the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

Agents that modulate the ECS are in early stages of development for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Increasing our understanding of the ECS will greatly advance our knowledge of interactions between the brain and gut and could lead to new treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27133395