Expression and functional relevance of cannabinoid receptor 1 in hodgkin lymphoma.

“Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is expressed in certain types of malignancies. An analysis of CB1 expression and function in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), one of the most frequent lymphomas, was not performed to date.

We examined the distribution of CB1 protein in primary cases of HL. Using lymphoma derived cell lines, the role of CB1 signaling on cell survival was investigated.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study identifies CB1 as a feature of HL, which might serve as a potential selective target in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24349109

Improved Cardiac and Neurologic Outcomes With Postresuscitation Infusion of Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist WIN55, 212-2 Depend on Hypothermia in a Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest*.

“OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanisms of improved myocardial and neurological function and survival following IV administration of cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55, 212-2 in a rat model of cardiac arrest…

CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model of cardiac arrest, better postresuscitation myocardial function, neurological deficit scores, and longer duration of survival were observed by the pharmacologically induced hypothermia with WIN55, 212-2. The improved outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation following administration of WIN55, 212-2 appeared to be the results from its temperature reduction effects.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24346544

Selective CB2 receptor activation ameliorates EAE by reducing Th17 differentiation and immune cell accumulation in the CNS.

“CB2, the cannabinoid receptor expressed primarily on hematopoietic cells and activated microglia, mediates the immunoregulatory functions of cannabinoids. The involvement of CB2 in EAE has been demonstrated by using both endogenous and exogenous ligands…

the combined effect on Th17 differentiation and immune cell accumulation into the CNS, emphasize the relevance of CB2 selective ligands as potential therapeutic agents in neuroinflammation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24342422

Cannabinoid System of the Lateral Septum in the Modulation of Anxiety-like Behaviors in Rats.

“A large body of evidence suggests that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor plays a key role in the regulation of emotional behaviors. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of CB1 agonist and antagonist on anxiety-like behaviors in the lateral septum (LS) region of the rat brain using elevated plus maze test…

The results suggest that the cannabinoid system of the lateral septum modulates anxiety-like behavior through CB1 receptor.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24329144

Unique effects of compounds active at both cannabinoid and serotonin receptors during stroke.

“We reported previously that both a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) agonist and a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonist were protective in the treatment of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury (MCAO/R) and that they acted in a synergistic manner when administered in combination. The goal of the current study was to determine which of the potential cannabinoid receptors participate in the protective effects of this drug combination in a mouse model of MCAO/R.

The effects of administration of the CB2R agonist/CB1R antagonist combination on infarct size and cerebral blood flow during a 1-h occlusion were tested…

In conclusion, administration of the CB2R agonist/CB1R antagonist combination causes a significant reduction in infarct size in the MCAO/R model. The protective effect involves both the CB2R and the 5-HT1A receptor. Neither the CB1R nor the TRPV1 receptors appear to participate in this response.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24323810

Increase of mesenchymal stem cell migration by Cannabidiol via activation of p42/44 MAPK.

“Migration and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to be involved in various regenerative processes such as bone healing.

The present study therefore focussed on cannabinoids which have been demonstrated to exhibit tissue healing properties…

Collectively, this study demonstrates CBD to promote the migration of MSCs via activation of the CB2 receptor and inhibition of GPR55 and to induce osteoblastic differentiation. CBD may therefore recruit MSCs to sites of calcifying tissue regeneration and subsequently support bone regeneration via an osteoanabolic action on MSCs.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24304686

Anti-inflammatory effects of Cannabinoid 2 Receptor activation in endotoxin-induced uveitis.

“CB2 R stimulation has immunomodulatory effects. This study investigated the effects of CB2 R modulation on leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and inflammatory mediator release in experimental endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).

Stimulation of CB2 R is anti-inflammatory in a model of acute EIU by a mechanism involving a reduction in NF-κβ, AP-1 and inflammatory mediators.

CB2 R may be a promising drug target for the development of novel ocular anti-inflammatory agents.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24308861

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 as mediator of mesenchymal stromal cell immunosuppressive properties.

“Recently, the presence of the endocannabinoid system in hematopoietic and neural stem cells has been demonstrated…

In the present study, we have investigated, through a multidisciplinary approach, the involvement of the endocannabinoids in migration, viability and cytokine release of human mesenchymal stromal cells.

We show, for the first time, that cultures of human mesenchymal stromal cells express all of the components of the endocannabinoid system, suggesting a potential role for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor as a mediator of anti-inflammatory properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells, as well as of their survival pathways and their capability to home and migrate towards endocannabinoid sources.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24312195

Direct modulation of the outer mitochondrial membrane channel, voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) by cannabidiol: a novel mechanism for cannabinoid-induced cell death.

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive plant cannabinoid that inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell death of cancer cells and activated immune cells. It is not an agonist of the classical CB1/CB2 cannabinoid receptors and the mechanism by which it functions is unknown.

…using microscale thermophoresis, we showed a direct interaction between purified fluorescently labeled VDAC1 and CBD.

Thus, VDAC1 seems to serve as a novel mitochondrial target for CBD.

The inhibition of VDAC1 by CBD may be responsible for the immunosuppressive and anticancer effects of CBD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24309936

Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in lower urinary tract function and dysfunction.

“AIMS: To review knowledge on cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in lower urinary tract function and dysfunction.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Components of the endocannabinoid system-cannabinoid (CB) receptor types 1 and 2, anandamide, and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which degrades anandamide and related fatty-acid amides-have been located to lower urinary tract tissues of mice, rats, monkeys, and humans. Studies have located CB receptors in urothelium and sensory nerves and FAAH in the urothelium. CB receptor- and FAAH-related activities have also been reported in the lumbosacral spinal cord. Data on supraspinal CB functions in relation to micturition are lacking. Cannabinoids are reported to reduce sensory activity of isolated tissues, cause antihyperalgesia in animal studies of bladder inflammation, affect urodynamics parameters reflecting sensory functions in animals models, and appear to have effects on storage symptoms in humans. FAAH inhibitors have affected sensory bladder functions and reduced bladder overactivity in rat models. Cannabinoids may modify nerve-mediated functions of isolated lower urinary tract tissues.

CONCLUSIONS:

Evidence suggests components of the endocannabinoid system are involved in regulation of bladder function, possibly at several levels of the micturition pathway. It is unclear if either CB receptor has a dominant role in modification of sensory signals or if differences exist at peripheral and central nervous sites. Amplification of endocannabinoid activity by FAAH inhibitors may be an attractive drug target in specific pathways involved in LUTS.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24285567