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Maccarrone M. Need for Methods to Investigate Endocannabinoid Signaling. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:1-8. [PMID: 36152173 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipids able to bind to cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets of the cannabis (Cannabis sativa) active principle Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. During the last 20 years, several N-acylethanolamines and acylesters have been shown to act as eCBs, and a complex array of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and transporters (that altogether form the so-called "eCB system") has been shown to finely tune their manifold biological activities. It appears now urgent to develop methods and protocols that allow to assay in a specific and quantitative manner the distinct components of the eCB system and that can properly localize them within the cell. A brief overview of eCBs and of the proteins that bind, transport, and metabolize these lipids is presented here, in orderto put in a better perspective, the relevance of methodologies that help to disclose molecular details of eCB signaling in health and disease. Proper methodological approaches form also the basis for a more rationale and effective drug design and therapeutic strategy to combat human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Bari M, Feole M, Fava M, Maccarrone M. Radiometric Assay of FAAH Activity. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:241-247. [PMID: 36152192 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_20] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an intracellular enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of endogenous anandamide (AEA), a reaction that terminates the biological effects of this lipid mediator. The final products of AEA cleavage are arachidonic acid and ethanolamine. In the method described herein, FAAH activity is measured through the use of the radioactive substrate [14C-ethanolamine]-AEA and subsequent quantification of the reaction product [14C]-ethanolamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Monica Feole
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Fava
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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3
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Tian M, Tian Z, Yao D, Ning J, Deng S, Feng L, Huo X, Tian X, Zhang B, Wang C, Yu Z, Ma X. A NIR fluorescent probe for fatty acid amide hydrolase bioimaging and its application in development of inhibitors. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:6460-6465. [PMID: 34364309 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01054a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is primarily responsible for the inactivation of fatty acid ethanolamide (FAE) and is involved in a variety of biological functions related to diseases of the nervous system. Herein, we developed a highly selective and sensitive FAAH-activated near-infrared fluorescent probe named DAND and achieved the real-time detection and imaging of FAAH activity in complex biosystems. Moreover, a visual high-throughput screening method was established using DAND, piperine was identified as a novel inhibitor of FAAH. Based on the interaction of piperine with FAAH, a more potent FAAH inhibitor (11f) was designed and synthesized which possessed an IC50 value of 0.65 μM. Furthermore, 11f could attenuate the liposaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of BV2 cells, exhibiting an excellent anti-inflammatory activity. These results indicated that DAND could be used as a promising molecular tool for exploring FAAH activity and for rapidly screening potential FAAH inhibitors. In addition, piperine and its derivatives could serve as potential candidate drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Tian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Criscuolo E, De Sciscio ML, Fezza F, Maccarrone M. In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Major Cannabis-Derived Compounds as Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitors. Molecules 2020; 26:molecules26010048. [PMID: 33374180 PMCID: PMC7795171 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulated evidence suggests that enhancing the endocannabinoid (eCB) tone, in particular of anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), has therapeutic potential in many human diseases. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a membrane-bound enzyme principally responsible for the degradation of AEA, and thus it represents a relevant target to increase signaling thereof. In recent years, different synthetic and natural compounds have been developed and tested on rat FAAH, but little is known of their effect on the human enzyme. Here, we sought to investigate six major cannabis-derived compounds to compare their action on rat and human FAAHs. To this aim, we combined an in silico analysis of their binding mode and affinity, with in vitro assays of their effect on enzyme activity. This integrated approach allowed to disclose differences in efficacy towards rat and human FAAHs, and to highlight the role of key residues involved in the inhibition of both enzymes. This study suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of compounds targeted towards FAAH should be always tested in vitro on both rat and human enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Criscuolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00121 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Laura De Sciscio
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Filomena Fezza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00121 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (M.M.)
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio snc, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 54, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (M.M.)
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The Impact of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Hormones on the Metabolic State and Endocannabinoid System of Human Cumulus Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197124. [PMID: 32992491 PMCID: PMC7583999 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Different Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) formulation and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are used in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to induce follicles development and oocytes maturation, but it is still under debate which protocol is to be preferred. In the present study, the different effects on cumulus cells (CCs) of three controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols, based on urinary FSH, recombinant FSH, or human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) administration, were assessed. CCs were obtained from 42 normal-responders women undergoing COS, randomly divided into three groups according to the used gonadotropin formulation. Differences were found in the expression of genes belonging to the endocannabinoid system (the receptors CNR1, CNR2 and TRPV1, and the enzymes involved in the metabolisms of anandamide, NAPE-PLD and FAAH, and 2-acylglycerol, DAGL and MAGL); consistently, changes in lipid (PPARα, and FASN) and carbohydrate (GLUT1 and GLUT9) metabolisms, in CCs’ macromolecules composition (highlighted by Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy, FTIRM), and in the number of retrieved oocytes were found. For the first time, statistically significant evidence on the differences related to each COS protocol on the endocannabinoid system, metabolism and macromolecular composition of CCs was found, representing a proof of concept to be further confirmed in a larger cohort of patients.
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Fibronectin induces capacitation-associated events through the endocannabinoid system in bull sperm. Theriogenology 2020; 153:91-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Fazio D, Criscuolo E, Piccoli A, Barboni B, Fezza F, Maccarrone M. Advances in the discovery of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors: what does the future hold? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:765-778. [PMID: 32292082 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1751118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a membrane-bound enzyme, that inactivates endogenous signaling lipids of the fatty acid amide family, including the endocannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA). The latter compound has been shown to regulate a number of important pathophysiological conditions in humans, like feeding, obesity, immune response, reproductive events, motor coordination, and neurological disorders. Hence, direct manipulation of the endocannabinoid tone is thought to have therapeutic potential. A new opportunity to develop effective drugs may arise from multi-target directed ligand (MTDL) strategies, which brings the concept that a single compound can recognize different targets involved in the cascade of pathophysiological events. AREAS COVERED This review reports the latest advances in the development of new single targeted and dual-targeted FAAH inhibitors over the past 5 years. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, several FAAH inhibitors have been synthesized and investigated, yet to date none of them has reached the market as a systemic drug. Due to the diligence of inherent redundancy and robustness in many biological networks and pathways, multitarget inhibitors present a new prospect in the pharmaceutical industry for treatment of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Fazio
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo , Teramo, Italy.,European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation , Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Criscuolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome , Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome , Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Piccoli
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome , Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo , Teramo, Italy
| | - Filomena Fezza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome , Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation , Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome , Rome, Italy
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Ernst J, Grabiec U, Falk K, Dehghani F, Schaedlich K. The endocrine disruptor DEHP and the ECS: analysis of a possible crosstalk. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:101-110. [PMID: 31910153 PMCID: PMC6993259 DOI: 10.1530/ec-19-0548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Studies of the last decade associated the environmental contamination by di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) with obesity and endocrine malfunction. DEHP was found to interact with several receptors - among them are receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with high expression levels in adipose tissue. Furthermore, the correlation for BMI and body fat to the serum endocannabinoid level raises the question if the obesogenic and endocrine-disrupting DEHP effects are mediated via the ECS. We therefore characterized the ECS in a human cell model of adipogenesis using the SGBS preadipocytes to subsequently investigate if DEHP exposure affects the intrinsic ECS. The receptors of the ECS and the endocannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes were upregulated during normal adipogenesis, accompanied by an increasing secretion of the adipokines adiponectin and leptin. DEHP affected the secretion of both adipokines but not the ECS, suggesting DEHP to alter the endocrine function of adipocytes without the involvement of the intrinsic ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ernst
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to J Ernst:
| | - Urszula Grabiec
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kathrin Falk
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Faramarz Dehghani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kristina Schaedlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Ayakannu T, Taylor AH, Bari M, Mastrangelo N, Maccarrone M, Konje JC. Expression and Function of the Endocannabinoid Modulating Enzymes Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and N-Acylphosphatidylethanolamine-Specific Phospholipase D in Endometrial Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1363. [PMID: 31921630 PMCID: PMC6930916 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The concentrations of three N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), anandamide (AEA), N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and N-palmitylethanolamide (PEA) are increased in the endometria of women with endometrial cancer (EC). It is widely accepted that plasma levels of these three NAEs are regulated by the actions of the rate-limiting enzymes N-acylphoshatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which are synthesizing and degradative, respectively. The expression and activity of these enzymes have not previously been studied in EC. Methods: FAAH activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and transcript and protein expression for FAAH and NAPE-PLD in EC tissues were measured using enzyme, quantitative RT-PCR, and histomorphometry (of immunoreactive tissue sections), respectively. Samples were from 6 post-menopausal women with atrophic endometria (controls) and 34 women with histologically diagnosed EC. Concentrations of the three NAEs also measured in plasma and tissues were correlated with lymphocytic FAAH activity and the NAPE-PLD and FAAH transcript and protein levels. Results: Peripheral lymphocyte FAAH activity was unaffected in women with EC compared to controls. The FAAH transcript expression level was significantly (p < 0.0001) 75% lower in EC whilst NAPE-PLD levels were not significantly (p = 0.798) increased. In line with the transcript data, a significant (p < 0.0001) tumor type-dependent 70–90% decrease in FAAH protein and significant 4- to 14-fold increase in NAPE-PLD protein (p < 0.0001) was observed in the malignant tissue with more advanced disease having lower FAAH and higher NAPE-PLD expression than less advanced disease. Correlation analyses also confirmed that tissue NAE concentrations were inversely related to FAAH expression and directly correlated to NAPE-PLD expression and the NAPE-PLD/FAAH ratio. Conclusion: These data support our previous observation of tissue levels of AEA, OEA, and PEA and a role for NAE metabolism in the pathogenesis of EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thangesweran Ayakannu
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,Gynaecology Oncology Cancer Centre, Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony H Taylor
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Justin C Konje
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.,Women's Wellness and Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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10
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Abstract
Novel pharmacological treatments are needed for Tourette syndrome. Our goal was to examine the current evidence base and biological rationale for the use of cannabis-derived medications or medications that act on the cannabinoid system in Tourette syndrome. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed for randomized controlled trials or clinical trials of cannabis-derived medications in Tourette syndrome. Data regarding the population, intervention, safety profile, and outcomes for each trial were extracted and reported and the evidence supporting use of individual cannabis-derived medications was critiqued. There is a strong biological rationale regarding how cannabis-derived medications could affect tic severity. Anecdotal case reports and series have noted that many patients report that their tics improve after using cannabis. However, only two small randomized, placebo-controlled trials of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol have been published; these suggested possible benefits of cannabis-derived agents for the treatment of tics. Trials examining other agents active on the cannabinoid system for tic disorders are currently ongoing. Cannabinoid-based treatments are a promising avenue of new research for medications that may help the Tourette syndrome population. However, given the limited research available, the overall efficacy and safety of cannabinoid-based treatments is largely unknown. Further trials are needed to examine dosing, active ingredients, and optimal mode of administration of cannabis-derived compounds, assuming initial trials suggest efficacy. Clinical use for refractory patients should at the very least be restricted to adult populations, given the uncertain efficacy and risk of developmental adverse effects that cannabinoids may have in children. Even in adult populations, cannabis-derived medications are associated with significant issues such as the effects they have on driving safety and the fact that they cause positive urine drug screens that can affect employment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bekir B Artukoglu
- Yale University, Yale Child Study Center, PO Box 207900, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Michael H Bloch
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Zhu M, Yu B, Bai J, Wang X, Guo X, Liu Y, Lin J, Hu S, Zhang W, Tao Y, Hu C, Yang H, Xu Y, Geng D. Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonist Prevents Local and Systemic Inflammatory Bone Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Bone Miner Res 2019; 34:739-751. [PMID: 30508319 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) has been implicated as an important clinical regulator of inflammation and malignant osteolysis. Here, we observed that CB2 expression was markedly higher in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice synovium and bone tissues than in the noninflamed synovium and bone tissues. The CB2 selective agonist (JWH133) but not antagonist (SR144528) suppressed CIA in mice without toxic effects, as demonstrated by the decreased synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory responses, cartilage damage, and periarticular and systemic bone destruction. JWH133 treatment decreased the infiltration of pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages and repolarized macrophages from the M1 to M2 phenotype. Similarly, activation of CB2 increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, JWH133 treatment attenuated osteoclast formation and osteoclastic bone resorption, and reduced the expression of receptor activators of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K (CTSK), and nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFAT-1) in CIA mice and osteoclast precursors, which were obviously blocked by pretreatment with SR144528. Mechanistically, JWH133 inhibited RANKL-induced NF-κB activation in the osteoclast precursors. We found that JWH133 ameliorates pathologic bone destruction in CIA mice via the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and modulation of inflammatory responses, thereby highlighting its potential as a treatment for human rheumatoid arthritis. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Binqin Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaxiang Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ximing Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaobin Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Su Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Orthopedics Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yunxia Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yaozeng Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dechun Geng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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12
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Abán CE, Accialini PL, Etcheverry T, Leguizamón GF, Martinez NA, Farina MG. Crosstalk Between Nitric Oxide and Endocannabinoid Signaling Pathways in Normal and Pathological Placentation. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1699. [PMID: 30564135 PMCID: PMC6288445 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are a group of endogenous lipid mediators that act as ligands of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, activating multiple signal transduction pathways. Together with enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation, these compounds constitute the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in different physiological processes in reproduction. The placenta, which is essential for the success of gestation and optimal fetal growth, undergoes constant tissue remodeling. ECS members are expressed in trophoblast cells, and current evidence suggests that this system is involved in placental development, apoptosis, and syncytialization. Impairment of endocannabinoid signaling has been associated with several pathological conditions such as intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia. Both clinical entities are characterized by dysregulation on vascular perfusion where nitrergic system performs a pivotal role. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent local vasodepressor that exerts a critical role in the regulation of hemodynamic flow, contributing to the maintenance of low vascular resistance in the feto-placental circulation. NO production could be affected by different factors and growing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid mediators may regulate nitrergic signaling. Herein, we review emerging knowledge supporting ECS-mediated regulation of NO production in normal placentation. Finally, we discuss how alterations in these systems could affect homoeostasis and contribute to the occurrence of placental-mediated pregnancy complications. Given the impact on women and perinatal heath, we will focus on current knowledge regarding the effects of ECS on nitrergic system in normal and pathological placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyntia E Abán
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a las Neurociencias (LIAN), FLENI - CONICET, Belén de Escobar, Argentina
| | - Paula L Accialini
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Placentaria, CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomás Etcheverry
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Placentaria, CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Nora A Martinez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, IFIBIO-UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Red Iberoamericana de Alteraciones Vasculares Asociadas a Trastornos del Embarazo (RIVA-TREM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana G Farina
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Placentaria, CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Red Iberoamericana de Alteraciones Vasculares Asociadas a Trastornos del Embarazo (RIVA-TREM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Di Scala C, Fantini J, Yahi N, Barrantes FJ, Chahinian H. Anandamide Revisited: How Cholesterol and Ceramides Control Receptor-Dependent and Receptor-Independent Signal Transmission Pathways of a Lipid Neurotransmitter. Biomolecules 2018; 8:biom8020031. [PMID: 29789479 PMCID: PMC6022874 DOI: 10.3390/biom8020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide is a lipid neurotransmitter derived from arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. The chemical differences between anandamide and arachidonic acid result in a slightly enhanced solubility in water and absence of an ionisable group for the neurotransmitter compared with the fatty acid. In this review, we first analyze the conformational flexibility of anandamide in aqueous and membrane phases. We next study the interaction of the neurotransmitter with membrane lipids and discuss the molecular basis of the unexpected selectivity of anandamide for cholesterol and ceramide from among other membrane lipids. We show that cholesterol behaves as a binding partner for anandamide, and that following an initial interaction mediated by the establishment of a hydrogen bond, anandamide is attracted towards the membrane interior, where it forms a molecular complex with cholesterol after a functional conformation adaptation to the apolar membrane milieu. The complex is then directed to the anandamide cannabinoid receptor (CB1) which displays a high affinity binding pocket for anandamide. We propose that cholesterol may regulate the entry and exit of anandamide in and out of CB1 by interacting with low affinity cholesterol recognition sites (CARC and CRAC) located in transmembrane helices. The mirror topology of cholesterol binding sites in the seventh transmembrane domain is consistent with the delivery, extraction and flip-flop of anandamide through a coordinated cholesterol-dependent mechanism. The binding of anandamide to ceramide illustrates another key function of membrane lipids which may occur independently of protein receptors. Interestingly, ceramide forms a tight complex with anandamide which blocks the degradation pathway of both lipids and could be exploited for anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Di Scala
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, BP13 13273 Marseille CEDEX 09, France.
| | - Jacques Fantini
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille Université, 13015 Marseille, France.
| | - Nouara Yahi
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille Université, 13015 Marseille, France.
| | - Francisco J Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), UCA⁻CONICET, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, C1107AFF Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Henri Chahinian
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille Université, 13015 Marseille, France.
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Donvito G, Nass SR, Wilkerson JL, Curry ZA, Schurman LD, Kinsey SG, Lichtman AH. The Endogenous Cannabinoid System: A Budding Source of Targets for Treating Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:52-79. [PMID: 28857069 PMCID: PMC5719110 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A great need exists for the development of new medications to treat pain resulting from various disease states and types of injury. Given that the endogenous cannabinoid (that is, endocannabinoid) system modulates neuronal and immune cell function, both of which play key roles in pain, therapeutics targeting this system hold promise as novel analgesics. Potential therapeutic targets include the cannabinoid receptors, type 1 and 2, as well as biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of the endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Notably, cannabinoid receptor agonists as well as inhibitors of endocannabinoid-regulating enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase produce reliable antinociceptive effects, and offer opioid-sparing antinociceptive effects in myriad preclinical inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Emerging clinical studies show that 'medicinal' cannabis or cannabinoid-based medications relieve pain in human diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. However, clinical data have yet to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of inhibitors of endocannabinoid-regulating enzymes. Likewise, the question of whether pharmacotherapies aimed at the endocannabinoid system promote opioid-sparing effects in the treatment of pain reflects an important area of research. Here we examine the preclinical and clinical evidence of various endocannabinoid system targets as potential therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and neuropathic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Zachary A Curry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Lesley D Schurman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Steven G Kinsey
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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15
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Zahov S, Garzinsky D, Hanekamp W, Lehr M. 1-Heteroarylpropan-2-ones as inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase: Studies on structure-activity relationships and metabolic stability. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 25:825-837. [PMID: 27989417 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The serine hydrolase fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) catalyzes the degradation of the endocannabinoid anandamide, which possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. A new series of 1-heteroarylpropan-2-ones was synthesized and evaluated for FAAH inhibition. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that 1H-benzotriazol-1-yl, 1H-7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl, 1H-tetrazol-1-yl and 2H-tetrazol-2-yl substituents have the highest impact on inhibitory potency. Furthermore, attempts were made to increase the limited metabolic stability of the ketone functionality of these compounds towards metabolic reduction by introduction of shielding alkyl substituents in proximity of this serine reactive group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Zahov
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - David Garzinsky
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Walburga Hanekamp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Matthias Lehr
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
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16
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Rodriguez-Sanchez IP, Guindon J, Ruiz M, Tejero ME, Hubbard G, Martinez-de-Villarreal LE, Barrera-Saldaña HA, Dick EJ, Comuzzie AG, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch NE. The endocannabinoid system in the baboon (Papio spp.) as a complex framework for developmental pharmacology. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016; 58:23-30. [PMID: 27327781 PMCID: PMC5897907 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The consumption of marijuana (exogenous cannabinoid) almost doubled in adults during last decade. Consumption of exogenous cannabinoids interferes with the endogenous cannabinoid (or "endocannabinoid" (eCB)) system (ECS), which comprises N-arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), endocannabinoid receptors (cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R and CB2R), encoded by CNR1 and CNR2, respectively), and synthesizing/degrading enzymes (FAAH, fatty-acid amide hydrolase; MAGL, monoacylglycerol lipase; DAGL-α, diacylglycerol lipase-alpha). Reports regarding the toxic and therapeutic effects of pharmacological compounds targeting the ECS are sometimes contradictory. This may be caused by the fact that structure of the eCBs varies in the species studied. OBJECTIVES First: to clone and characterize the cDNAs of selected members of ECS in a non-human primate (baboon, Papio spp.), and second: to compare those cDNA sequences to known human structural variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes). MATERIALS AND METHODS Polymerase chain reaction-amplified gene products from baboon tissues were transformed into Escherichia coli. Amplicon-positive clones were sequenced, and the obtained sequences were conceptually translated into amino-acid sequences using the genetic code. RESULTS Among the ECS members, CNR1 was the best conserved gene between humans and baboons. The phenotypes associated with mutations in the untranslated regions of this gene in humans have not been described in baboons. One difference in the structure of CNR2 between humans and baboons was detected in the region with the only known clinically relevant polymorphism in a human receptor. All of the differences in the amino-acid structure of DAGL-α between humans and baboons were located in the hydroxylase domain, close to phosphorylation sites. None of the differences in the amino-acid structure of MAGL observed between baboons and humans were located in the area critical for enzyme function. CONCLUSION The evaluation of the data, obtained in non-human primate model of cannabis-related developmental exposure should take into consideration possible evolutionary-determined species-specific differences in the CB1R expression, CB2R transduction pathway, and FAAH and DAGLα substrate-enzyme interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iram P Rodriguez-Sanchez
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Genética, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Josee Guindon
- Department of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Marco Ruiz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Tejero
- Laboratorio de Nutrigenética y Nutrigenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), México, D.F., Mexico
| | - Gene Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Hugo A Barrera-Saldaña
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Edward J Dick
- Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Anthony G Comuzzie
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
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17
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Althaus J, Hake T, Hanekamp W, Lehr M. 1-(5-Carboxyindazol-1-yl)propan-2-ones as dual inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A 2α and fatty acid amide hydrolase: bioisosteric replacement of the carboxylic acid moiety. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2016; 31:131-140. [PMID: 27162011 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2016.1178246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Indazole-5-carboxylic acids with 3-aryloxy-2-oxopropyl residues in position 1 were previously reported to be potent dual inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). In continuation of our structure-activity studies on cPLA2α and FAAH inhibitors, a number of derivatives of these substances characterized by bioisosteric replacement of the carboxylic acid functionality by inverse amides, sulfonylamides, carbamates and ureas were prepared. The biological evaluation of the obtained compounds showed that the carboxylic acid functionality of the lead compounds is of special importance for a pronounced inhibition of cPLA2α and FAAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Althaus
- a Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Germany
| | - Theresa Hake
- a Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Germany
| | - Walburga Hanekamp
- a Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Germany
| | - Matthias Lehr
- a Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Germany
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18
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Ernst J, Grabiec U, Greither T, Fischer B, Dehghani F. The endocannabinoid system in the human granulosa cell line KGN. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 423:67-76. [PMID: 26773729 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian steroidogenesis is embedded in a sensitive network of regulatory mechanisms crucial for human fertility. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) represents an intrinsic modulating system involved in the regulation of endocrine functions. In the present study we characterized the ECS in the human granulosa cell line KGN and its impact on gonadotropin sensitivity and steroid hormone synthesis under basal and FSH-stimulated conditions. Expression studies were performed and estradiol was measured. CB1, CB2, DAGL, FAAH, GPR55, MAGL, NAPE-PLD and TRPV1 were expressed without FSH-dependent effects. Treatment with selective cannabinoid receptor agonists reduced basal but not FSH-stimulated estradiol and CYP19. Progesterone was not altered by ECS manipulation. CB1 agonist changed the expression of miRNAs associated with granulosa cell function, e.g. miR-23a, miR-24, miR-181a and miR-320a. Present data indicate a modulating role of the intrinsic ovarian ECS in the regulation of estradiol synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ernst
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Urszula Grabiec
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas Greither
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bernd Fischer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Faramarz Dehghani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany
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19
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Terwege T, Hanekamp W, Garzinsky D, König S, Koch O, Lehr M. ω-Imidazolyl- and ω-Tetrazolylalkylcarbamates as Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase: Biological Activity and in vitro Metabolic Stability. ChemMedChem 2016; 11:429-43. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Terwege
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; University of Münster; Corrensstrasse 48 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Walburga Hanekamp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; University of Münster; Corrensstrasse 48 48149 Münster Germany
| | - David Garzinsky
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; University of Münster; Corrensstrasse 48 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Simone König
- Core Unit Proteomics; Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF); University of Münster; Röntgenstrasse 21 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Oliver Koch
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology; TU Dortmund University; Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Matthias Lehr
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; University of Münster; Corrensstrasse 48 48149 Münster Germany
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20
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Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an intracellular enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of endogenous anandamide (AEA), a reaction that terminates the biological effects of this lipid mediator. The final products of this reaction are arachidonic acid and ethanolamine. In the method described herein, FAAH activity is measured through the use of a radioactive substrate by quantification of reaction products, that is, [(14)C]-ethanolamine from [(14)C-ethanolamine]-AEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Monica Feole
- Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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21
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Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipids able to activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets of the cannabis (Cannabis sativa) active principle Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol. During the last 20 years, several N-acylethanolamines and acylesters have been shown to act as eCBs, and a complex array of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and transporters (that altogether form the so-called eCB system) has been shown to finely tune their manifold biological activities. It appears now urgent to develop methods and protocols that allow to assay in a specific and quantitative manner the distinct components of the eCB system, and that can properly localize them within the cell. A brief overview of eCBs and of the proteins that bind, transport, and metabolize these lipids is presented here, in order to put in a better perspective the relevance of methodologies that help to disclose molecular details of eCB signaling in health and disease. Proper methodological approaches form also the basis for a more rationale and effective drug design and therapeutic strategy to combat human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy. .,European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143, Rome, Italy.
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22
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Brindisi M, Brogi S, Maramai S, Grillo A, Borrelli G, Butini S, Novellino E, Allarà M, Ligresti A, Campiani G, Di Marzo V, Gemma S. Harnessing the pyrroloquinoxaline scaffold for FAAH and MAGL interaction: definition of the structural determinants for enzyme inhibition. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra12524g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pharmacogenic pyrroloquinoxaline scaffold has been exploited for developing piperazine and 4-aminopiperidine carboxamides/carbamates as inhibitors of the endocannabinoids’ catabolic enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase.
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23
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Su SH, Wu YF, Lin Q, Yu F, Hai J. Cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 and fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 suppress chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling. Neuroscience 2015; 301:563-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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24
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Sundermann T, Hanekamp W, Lehr M. Structure-activity relationship studies on 1-heteroaryl-3-phenoxypropan-2-ones acting as inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2α and fatty acid amide hydrolase: replacement of the activated ketone group by other serine traps. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2015; 31:653-63. [PMID: 26153239 DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2015.1057721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are serine hydrolases. cPLA2α is involved in the generation of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, FAAH terminates the anti-inflammatory effects of endocannabinoids. Therefore, inhibitors of these enzymes may represent new drug candidates for the treatment of inflammation. We have reported that certain 1-heteroarylpropan-2-ones are potent inhibitors of cPLA2α and FAAH. The serine reactive ketone group of these compounds, which is crucial for enzyme inhibition, is readily metabolized resulting in inactive alcohol derivatives. In order to obtain metabolically more stable inhibitors, we replaced this moiety by α-ketoheterocyle, cyanamide and nitrile serine traps. Investigations on activity and metabolic stability of these substances revealed that in all cases an increased metabolic stability was accompanied by a loss of inhibitory potency against cPLA2α and FAAH, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Sundermann
- a Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Münster , Germany
| | - Walburga Hanekamp
- a Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Münster , Germany
| | - Matthias Lehr
- a Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster , Münster , Germany
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25
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Sundermann T, Fabian J, Hanekamp W, Lehr M. 1-Heteroaryl-3-phenoxypropan-2-ones as inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2α and fatty acid amide hydrolase: Effect of the replacement of the ether oxygen with sulfur and nitrogen moieties on enzyme inhibition and metabolic stability. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:2579-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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26
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Gui H, Tong Q, Qu W, Mao CM, Dai SM. The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic implications in rheumatoid arthritis. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 26:86-91. [PMID: 25791728 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the endogenous receptor for Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, a main constituent of marijuana, the endocannabinoid system (comprising cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, as well as the enzymes involved in their metabolic processes) has been implicated as having multiple regulatory functions in many central and peripheral conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that is associated with the involvement of many kinds of cells (such as fibroblastlike synoviocytes [FLSs], osteoclasts, T cells, B cells, and macrophages) and molecules (such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], and chemokines). Increasing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system, especially cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), has an important role in the pathophysiology of RA. Many members of the endocannabinoid system are reported to inhibit synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, and cartilage destruction in RA. In particular, specific activation of CB2 may relieve RA by inhibiting not only the production of autoantibodies, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs, but also bone erosion, immune response mediated by T cells, and the proliferation of FLSs. In this review, we will discuss the possible functions of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of RA, which may be a potential target for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Gui
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Tong
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchun Qu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Division of Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Chen-Mei Mao
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Sheng-Ming Dai
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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27
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Sánchez López AJ, Román-Vega L, Ramil Tojeiro E, Giuffrida A, García-Merino A. Regulation of cannabinoid receptor gene expression and endocannabinoid levels in lymphocyte subsets by interferon-β: a longitudinal study in multiple sclerosis patients. Clin Exp Immunol 2015; 179:119-27. [PMID: 25169051 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests the involvement of the cannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied cannabinoid receptor (CB)1 and CB2 receptor gene expression in B, natural killer (NK) and T cells from MS patients before and after 1 year of interferon beta therapy, and compared these levels to those of healthy controls. We also measured the production of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and the gene expression of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in these cells. Prior to interferon therapy, MS patients showed significantly elevated CB2 expression in B cells, but not in T or NK cells. These levels decreased gradually within 6 months to 1 year of interferon treatment. CB1 expression was elevated in all cell subsets, but only reached statistical significance in T cells; all levels decreased progressively over time. Before treatment, AEA but not 2-AG levels were significantly elevated in the three cell populations; after 1 year of treatment, all values decreased to control levels. The expression of FAAH was unchanged. The different expression of cannabinoid receptor genes and the increased level of AEA in lymphocytes point to a possible role of the cannabinoid system in MS immune response and its modulation by interferon.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Sánchez López
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda - Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Endocannabinoids, related compounds and their metabolic routes. Molecules 2014; 19:17078-106. [PMID: 25347455 PMCID: PMC6271436 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191117078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators able to bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets responsible for the pharmacological effects of the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. These bioactive lipids belong mainly to two classes of compounds: N-acylethanolamines and acylesters, being N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively, their main representatives. During the last twenty years, an ever growing number of fatty acid derivatives (endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like compounds) have been discovered and their activities biological is the subject of intense investigations. Here, the most recent advances, from a therapeutic point of view, on endocannabinoids, related compounds, and their metabolic routes will be reviewed.
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29
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Tantimonaco M, Ceci R, Sabatini S, Catani MV, Rossi A, Gasperi V, Maccarrone M. Physical activity and the endocannabinoid system: an overview. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:2681-98. [PMID: 24526057 PMCID: PMC11113821 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1575-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recognized as a "disease modifier", physical activity (PA) is increasingly viewed as a more holistic, cost-saving method for prevention, treatment and management of human disease conditions. The traditional view that PA engages the monoaminergic and endorphinergic systems has been challenged by the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), composed of endogenous lipids, their target receptors, and metabolic enzymes. Indeed, direct and indirect evidence suggests that the ECS might mediate some of the PA-triggered effects throughout the body. Moreover, it is now emerging that PA itself is able to modulate ECS in different ways. Against this background, in the present review we shall discuss evidence of the cross-talk between PA and the ECS, ranging from brain to peripheral districts and highlighting how ECS must be tightly regulated during PA, in order to maintain its beneficial effects on cognition, mood, and nociception, while avoiding impaired energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Tantimonaco
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Ceci
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Sabatini
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Catani
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Rossi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Gasperi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Nader J, Rapino C, Gennequin B, Chavant F, Francheteau M, Makriyannis A, Duranti A, Maccarrone M, Solinas M, Thiriet N. Prior stimulation of the endocannabinoid system prevents methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in the striatum through activation of CB2 receptors. Neuropharmacology 2014; 87:214-21. [PMID: 24709540 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine toxicity is associated with cell death and loss of dopamine neuron terminals in the striatum similar to what is found in some neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been suggested to be neuroprotective in the brain, and new pharmacological tools have been developed to increase their endogenous tone. In this study, we evaluated whether ECS stimulation could reduce the neurotoxicity of high doses of methamphetamine on the dopamine system. We found that methamphetamine alters the levels of the major endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) in the striatum, suggesting that the ECS participates in the brain responses to methamphetamine. Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabis-derived agonist of both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, or inhibitors of the main enzymes responsible for the degradation of AEA and 2-AG (URB597 and JZL184, respectively), blunted the decrease in striatal protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase induced by methamphetamine. In addition, antagonists of CB2, but not of CB1, blocked the preventive effects of URB597 and JZL184, suggesting that only the former receptor subtype is engaged in neuroprotection exerted by ECS stimulation. Finally, we found that methamphetamine increases striatal levels of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha, an effect that was blocked by ECS stimulation. Altogether, our results indicate that stimulation of ECS prior to the administration of an overdose of methamphetamine considerably reduces the neurotoxicity of the drug through CB2 receptor activation and highlight a protective function for the ECS against the toxicity induced by drugs and other external insults to the brain. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'CNS Stimulants'.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arachidonic Acids/metabolism
- Benzamides/pharmacology
- Benzodioxoles/pharmacology
- Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators/pharmacology
- Carbamates/pharmacology
- Central Nervous System Stimulants/toxicity
- Dronabinol/pharmacology
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Glycerides/metabolism
- Male
- Methamphetamine/toxicity
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Neostriatum/drug effects
- Neostriatum/metabolism
- Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism
- Neurotoxicity Syndromes/prevention & control
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides/metabolism
- Random Allocation
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Nader
- INSERM, U1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Addiction, F-86022 Poitiers, France; University of Poitiers, U1084, F-86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Cinzia Rapino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Benjamin Gennequin
- INSERM, U1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Addiction, F-86022 Poitiers, France; University of Poitiers, U1084, F-86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Francois Chavant
- University of Poitiers, U1084, F-86022 Poitiers, France; Pharmacology Department, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Maureen Francheteau
- INSERM, U1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Addiction, F-86022 Poitiers, France; University of Poitiers, U1084, F-86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Andrea Duranti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy; European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 35, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marcello Solinas
- INSERM, U1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Addiction, F-86022 Poitiers, France; University of Poitiers, U1084, F-86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Nathalie Thiriet
- INSERM, U1084, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Addiction, F-86022 Poitiers, France; University of Poitiers, U1084, F-86022 Poitiers, France.
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Rapino C, Battista N, Bari M, Maccarrone M. Endocannabinoids as biomarkers of human reproduction. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 20:501-16. [PMID: 24516083 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that affects ∼10-15% of couples attempting to conceive a baby. More than half of all cases of infertility are a result of female conditions, while the remaining cases can be attributed to male factors, or to a combination of both. The search for suitable biomarkers of pregnancy outcome is a challenging issue in human reproduction, aimed at identifying molecules with predictive significance of the reproductive potential of male and female gametes. Among the various candidates, endocannabinoids (eCBs), and in particular anandamide (AEA), represent potential biomarkers of human fertility disturbances. Any perturbation of the balance between synthesis and degradation of eCBs will result in local changes of their tone in human female and male reproductive tracts, which in turn regulates various pathophysiological processes, oocyte and sperm maturation included. METHODS PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for papers using relevant keywords like 'biomarker', 'endocannabinoid', 'infertility', 'pregnancy' and 'reproduction'. RESULTS In this review, we discuss different studies on the measurements of AEA and related eCBs in human reproductive cells, tissues and fluids, where the local contribution of these bioactive lipids could be critical in ensuring normal sperm fertilizing ability and pregnancy. CONCLUSION Based on the available data, we suggest that the AEA tone has the potential to be exploited as a novel diagnostic biomarker of infertility, to be used in association with assays of conventional hormones (e.g. progesterone, β-chorionic gonadotrophin) and semen analysis. However further quantitative research of its predictive capacity is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Rapino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy StemTeCh Group, Chieti, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Bari
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Terwege T, Dahlhaus H, Hanekamp W, Lehr M. ω-Heteroarylalkylcarbamates as inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). MEDCHEMCOMM 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4md00181h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of heteroaryl-substituted alkylcarbamates have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potency against fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Terwege
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- University of Münster
- Corrensstrasse 48
- D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Helmut Dahlhaus
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- University of Münster
- Corrensstrasse 48
- D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Walburga Hanekamp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- University of Münster
- Corrensstrasse 48
- D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Matthias Lehr
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
- University of Münster
- Corrensstrasse 48
- D-48149 Münster, Germany
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Gervasi MG, Marczylo TH, Lam PM, Rana S, Franchi AM, Konje JC, Perez-Martinez S. Anandamide levels fluctuate in the bovine oviduct during the oestrous cycle. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72521. [PMID: 23977311 PMCID: PMC3745412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian oviduct acts as a reservoir for spermatozoa and provides an environment in which they may compete for the opportunity to fertilize the oocyte. Whilst in the oviduct spermatozoa undergo capacitation essential for fertilization. Sperm-oviduct interaction is essential for sperm capacitation and is a tightly regulated process influenced by the local microenvironment. Previously we reported that the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) regulates sperm release from epithelial oviductal cells by promoting sperm capacitation. The aims of this work were to measure the AEA content and to characterize the main AEA metabolic pathway in the bovine oviduct and determine how these change through the oestrous cycle. In this study, the levels of AEA and two other N-acylethanolamines, N-oleoylethanolamine and N-palmitoylethanolamine, were measured in bovine oviduct collected during different stages of oestrous cycle by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results indicated that intracellular oviductal epithelial levels of all three N-acylethanolamines fluctuate during oestrous cycle. Anandamide from oviductal fluid also varied during oestrous cycle, with the highest values detected during the periovulatory period. Endocannabinoid levels from ipsilateral oviduct to ovulation were higher than those detected in the contralateral one, suggesting that levels of oviductal AEA may be regulated by ovarian hormones. The expression and localization of N-acylethanolamines metabolizing enzymes in bovine oviduct were also determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry but no change was found during the oestrous cycle. Furthermore, nanomolar levels of AEA were detected in follicular fluids, suggesting that during ovulation the mature follicle may contribute to oviductal AEA levels to create an endocannabinoid gradient conducive to the regulation of sperm function for successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gracia Gervasi
- Laboratory de Biología de la Reproducción en Mamíferos, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Timothy H. Marczylo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia M. Lam
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Shashi Rana
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M. Franchi
- Laboratory Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Justin C. Konje
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (SPM); (JCK)
| | - Silvina Perez-Martinez
- Laboratory de Biología de la Reproducción en Mamíferos, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (SPM); (JCK)
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Bari M, Battista N, Valenza M, Mastrangelo N, Malaponti M, Catanzaro G, Centonze D, Finazzi-Agrò A, Cattaneo E, Maccarrone M. In vitro and in vivo models of Huntington's disease show alterations in the endocannabinoid system. FEBS J 2013; 280:3376-88. [PMID: 23659592 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in R6/2 mice, a widely used model of Huntington's disease (HD). We measured the endogenous content of N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol and the activity of their biosynthetic enzymes (N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D and diacylglycerol lipase, respectively) and hydrolytic enzymes [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase, respectively] and of their target receptors (type 1 cannabinoid receptor, type 2 cannabinoid receptor, and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1) in the brains of wild-type and R6/2 mice of different ages, as well as in the striatum and cortex of 12-week-old animals. In addition, we measured FAAH activity in lymphocytes of R6/2 mice. In the whole brains of 12-week-old R6/2 mice, we found reductions in N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity, diacylglycerol lipase activity and cannabinoid receptor binding, mostly associated with changes in the striatum but not in the cortex, as well as an increase in 2-arachidonoylglycerol content as compared with wild-type littermates, without any other change in ECS elements. Then, our analysis was extended to HD43 cells, an inducible cellular model of HD derived from rat ST14A cells. In both induced and noninduced conditions, we demonstrated a fully functional ECS. Overall, our data suggest that the ECS is differently affected in mouse and human HD, and that HD43 cells are suitable for high-throughput screening of FAAH-oriented drugs affecting HD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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35
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Pacher P, Kunos G. Modulating the endocannabinoid system in human health and disease--successes and failures. FEBS J 2013; 280:1918-43. [PMID: 23551849 PMCID: PMC3684164 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system, comprising the G-protein coupled cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors (CB1/2), their endogenous lipid ligands or endocannabinoids, and synthetic and metabolizing enzymes, has triggered an avalanche of experimental studies implicating the endocannabinoid system in a growing number of physiological/pathological functions. These studies have also suggested that modulating the activity of the endocannabinoid system holds therapeutic promise for a broad range of diseases, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and inflammatory disorders; obesity/metabolic syndrome; cachexia; chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; and tissue injury and pain, amongst others. However, clinical trials with globally acting CB1 antagonists in obesity/metabolic syndrome, and other studies with peripherally-restricted CB1/2 agonists and inhibitors of the endocannabinoid metabolizing enzyme in pain, have introduced unexpected complexities, suggesting that a better understanding of the pathophysiological role of the endocannabinoid system is required to devise clinically successful treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pál Pacher
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-9413, USA.
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36
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Starowicz K, Przewlocka B. Modulation of neuropathic-pain-related behaviour by the spinal endocannabinoid/endovanilloid system. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 367:3286-99. [PMID: 23108547 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain refers to chronic pain that results from injury to the nervous system. The mechanisms involved in neuropathic pain are complex and involve both peripheral and central phenomena. Although numerous pharmacological agents are available for the treatment of neuropathic pain, definitive drug therapy has remained elusive. Recent drug discovery efforts have identified an original neurobiological approach to the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. The development of innovative pharmacological strategies has led to the identification of new promising pharmacological targets, including glutamate antagonists, microglia inhibitors and, interestingly, endogenous ligands of cannabinoids and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1). Endocannabinoids (ECs), endovanilloids and the enzymes that regulate their metabolism represent promising pharmacological targets for the development of a successful pain treatment. This review is an update of the relationship between cannabinoid receptors (CB1) and TRPV1 channels and their possible implications for neuropathic pain. The data are focused on endogenous spinal mechanisms of pain control by anandamide, and the current and emerging pharmacotherapeutic approaches that benefit from the pharmacological modulation of spinal EC and/or endovanilloid systems under chronic pain conditions will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Starowicz
- Department of Pain Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland.
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Bisogno T, Maccarrone M. Latest advances in the discovery of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:509-22. [PMID: 23488865 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.780021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is the major catabolic enzyme of the endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) that, with different degrees of efficiency, also hydrolyzes other endogenous fatty acid ethanolamides. FAAH is increasingly being considered a relevant therapeutic target, especially in models of inflammatory pain. The opportunity to selectively increase the endocannabinoid tone only in those tissues where such an enhancement can be beneficial might result in a therapeutic benefit with more limited side effects, compared to the use of direct agonists of anandamide-binding receptors. Thus the research for selective FAAH inhibitors has become a hot topic in current drug discovery. AREAS COVERED This review highlights the advances in the development of different compounds belonging to different chemical families that have been proposed as FAAH inhibitors. Several classes of inhibitors have been reported so far, and they may be classified into two major classes: reversible and irreversible compounds. These inhibitors are reviewed herein with an emphasis on their potency and selectivity. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, tremendous efforts have been made to develop the FAAH inhibitors, and consequently many novel chemical templates have been discovered. It is still a major challenge to identify the first inhibitor of FAAH suitable for clinical exploitation that satisfies the requirements of potency, selectivity versus proteins related to anandamide activity as well as other potential off-targets, reversibility versus irreversibility, and efficacy toward rat versus human FAAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bisogno
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry/Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
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Gebeh AK, Willets JM, Bari M, Hirst RA, Marczylo TH, Taylor AH, Maccarrone M, Konje JC. Elevated anandamide and related N-acylethanolamine levels occur in the peripheral blood of women with ectopic pregnancy and are mirrored by changes in peripheral fatty acid amide hydrolase activity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013; 98:1226-34. [PMID: 23372171 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2012-3390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies from knockout mice suggest that perturbations in oviductal endocannabinoid levels, endocannabinoid receptors, or endocannabinoid degrading enzyme [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)] expression result in infertility secondary to physical trapping of embryos. Similar observations have been made in ectopic pregnant women together with a suggestion that the endocannabinoid receptor gene polymorphism 1359G/A (rs1049353) is associated with ectopic pregnancy. These observations led to the hypothesis that ectopic pregnancy is associated with a perturbation in levels of endocannabinoids and FAAH activity and that such changes are associated with impaired tubal function. AIMS The objective of the study was to quantify the plasma levels of endocannabinoids (anandamide, oleoylethanolamide, and palmitoylethanolamide) and evaluate blood endocannabinoid metabolizing enzyme activities FAAH and N-acyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) in ectopic pregnancy and normal pregnant controls and relate that to β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels. Additionally, we wanted to examine the effect of endocannabinoids on cilia beat frequency in Fallopian tube epithelial cells ex vivo. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Whole blood collected from ectopic and normal pregnancies was used for quantification of plasma endocannabinoid levels by ultra-HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry of FAAH and NAPE-PLD enzyme activities by radiometric assays, and β-hCG by immunoassay. Fallopian tube epithelial cells from healthy volunteers were treated with endocannabinoids and cilia beat frequency analyzed using a high-speed digital camera and CiliaFA software. RESULTS FAAH activity (P < .05) but not NAPE-PLD activity was significantly reduced in ectopic pregnancies. All 3 endocannabinoids levels were significantly higher (P < .05) in ectopic pregnancy. There was no correlation between endocannabinoids, enzyme activity, and β-hCG levels. Oleoylethanolamide (P < .05), but not methanandamide or palmitoylethanolamide, significantly decreased cilia beat frequency in Fallopian tube epithelial cells. CONCLUSION Elevated endocannabinoid levels and reduced FAAH activity are associated with ectopic pregnancy and may modulate tubal function, suggesting dysfunctional endocannabinoid action in ectopic implantation. Oleoylethanolamide may play a critical role in embryo-tubal transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpha K Gebeh
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 7LX, United Kingdom
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D'Addario C, Di Francesco A, Pucci M, Finazzi Agrò A, Maccarrone M. Epigenetic mechanisms and endocannabinoid signalling. FEBS J 2013; 280:1905-17. [PMID: 23305292 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 12/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system, composed of endogenous lipids, their target receptors and metabolic enzymes, has been implicated in multiple biological functions in health and disease, both in the central nervous system and in peripheral organs. Despite the exponential growth of experimental evidence on the key role of endocannabinoid signalling in basic cellular processes, and on its potential exploitation for therapeutic interventions, much remains to be clarified about the respective regulatory mechanisms. Epigenetics refers to a set of post-translational modifications that regulate gene expression without causing variation in DNA sequence, endowed with a major impact on signal transduction pathways. The epigenetic machinery includes DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning and non-coding RNAs. Due to the reversibility of epigenetic changes, an emerging field of interest is the possibility of an 'epigenetic therapy' that could possibly be applied also to endocannabinoids. Here, we review current knowledge of epigenetic regulation of endocannabinoid system components under both physiological and pathological conditions, as well as the epigenetic changes induced by endocannabinoid signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio D'Addario
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
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40
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Identification of a novel arylpiperazine scaffold for fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition with improved drug disposition properties. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:492-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
N-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) are fatty acid derivatives amide-linked to ethanolamine. NAEs vary in chain lengths and numbers of double bonds and generally reflect the fatty acids found in membrane lipids in the tissues in which they reside. NAEs are present naturally in trace amounts and occur in a wide range of organisms including plants, animals, and microbes. Some NAE types are known to be involved in the endocannabinoid signaling system of vertebrates, and in plants they may play important regulatory roles in several physiological processes, such as root growth, seedling development, stress responses, and pathogen interactions. The biological effects of NAEs are terminated through their hydrolysis into the ethanolamine and free fatty acid by a membrane enzyme known as the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Thus, FAAH represents an important target to better understand the function of these lipid mediators in numerous cellular processes. FAAH has been extensively characterized in mammalian and plant systems, and they share a conserved Ser-Ser-Lys catalytic mechanism. Here we describe procedures and experimental conditions to assay and characterize recombinant and endogenous FAAH enzymatic activity derived from plant tissues.
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Battista N, Di Sabatino A, Di Tommaso M, Biancheri P, Rapino C, Vidali F, Papadia C, Montana C, Pasini A, Lanzini A, Villanacci V, Corazza GR, Maccarrone M. Abnormal anandamide metabolism in celiac disease. J Nutr Biochem 2012; 23:1245-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Di Venere A, Dainese E, Fezza F, Angelucci BC, Rosato N, Cravatt BF, Finazzi-Agrò A, Mei G, Maccarrone M. Rat and human fatty acid amide hydrolases: overt similarities and hidden differences. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2012; 1821:1425-33. [PMID: 22877990 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2012.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a membrane protein that plays a relevant role in the metabolism of fatty acid amides and esters. It degrades important neurotransmitters such as oleamide and anandamide, and it has been involved in a number of human pathological conditions, representing therefore a valuable target for biochemical and pharmacological research. In this study, we have investigated in vitro the structure-function relationship of rat and human FAAHs. In particular circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and light scattering measurements have been performed, in order to characterize the structural features of the two proteins, both in the presence and absence of the irreversible inhibitor methoxyarachidonyl-fluorophosphonate. The results demonstrate that the structural dynamics of the two FAAHs are different, despite their high sequence homology and overall similarity in temperature-dependence. Additionally, membrane binding and kinetic assays of both FAAHs indicate that also the functional properties of the two enzymes are different in their interaction with lipid bilayers and with exogenous inhibitors. These findings suggest that pre-clinical studies of FAAH-dependent human diseases based only on animal models should be interpreted with caution, and that the efficacy of new drugs targeted to FAAH should be tested in vitro, on both rat and human enzymes.
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Perrotta A, Arce-Leal N, Tassorelli C, Gasperi V, Sances G, Blandini F, Serrao M, Bolla M, Pierelli F, Nappi G, Maccarrone M, Sandrini G. Acute reduction of anandamide-hydrolase (FAAH) activity is coupled with a reduction of nociceptive pathways facilitation in medication-overuse headache subjects after withdrawal treatment. Headache 2012; 52:1350-61. [PMID: 22670561 DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02170.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated (1) a possible relationship between the functional activity of the endocannabinoid system and the facilitation of pain processing in migraineurs with medication-overuse headache, and (2) the effect of withdrawal treatment on both. BACKGROUND The endocannabinoid system antinociception effect includes prevention of nociceptive pathways sensitization. The sensitization of the pain pathways has been demonstrated to be pivotal in the development and maintenance of chronic form of migraine, including medication-overuse headache. METHODS We used the temporal summation threshold of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex to explore the spinal cord pain processing, and the platelet activity of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase to detect the functional state of the endocannabinoid system in 27 medication-overuse headache subjects before and 10 and 60 days after a standard withdrawal treatment and compared results with those of 14 controls. RESULTS A significantly reduced temporal summation threshold and increased related pain sensation was found in subjects before withdrawal treatment when compared with controls. A significant fatty acid amide hydrolase activity reduction coupled with a significant improvement (reduction) in facilitation of spinal cord pain processing (increase in temporal summation threshold and reduction in related pain sensation) was found in medication-overuse headache subjects at both 10 and 60 days after withdrawal treatment when compared with medication-overuse headache subjects before withdrawal treatment. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a marked facilitation in spinal cord pain processing in medication-overuse headache before withdrawal treatment when compared with controls. Furthermore, the acute reduction of the fatty acid amide hydrolase activity coupled with a reduction of the facilitation in pain processing immediately (10 days) after withdrawal treatment and its persistence 60 days after withdrawal treatment could represent the consequence of a mechanism devoted to acutely reduce the degradation of endocannabinoids and aimed to increase the activity of the endocannabinoid system that results in an antinociceptive effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Perrotta
- Headache Clinic, IRCCS Mediterranean Neurological Institute Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
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Dainese E, Sabatucci A, Angelucci CB, Barsacchi D, Chiarini M, Maccarrone M. Impact of embedded endocannabinoids and their oxygenation by lipoxygenase on membrane properties. ACS Chem Neurosci 2012; 3:386-92. [PMID: 22860207 PMCID: PMC3386857 DOI: 10.1021/cn300016c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are the best characterized endocannabinoids. Their biological activity is subjected to metabolic control whereby a dynamic equilibrium among biosynthetic, catabolic, and oxidative pathways drives their intracellular concentrations. In particular, lipoxygenases can generate hydroperoxy derivatives of endocannabinoids, endowed with distinct activities within cells. The in vivo interaction between lipoxygenases and endocannabinoids is likely to occur within cell membranes; thus, we sought to ascertain whether a prototypical enzyme like soybean (Glycine max) 15-lipoxygenase-1 is able to oxygenate endocannabinoids embedded in synthetic vesicles and how these substances could affect the binding ability of the enzyme to different lipid bilayers. We show that (i) embedded endocannabinoids increase membrane fluidity; (ii) 15-lipoxygenase-1 preferentially binds to endocannabinoid-containing bilayers; and that (iii) 15-lipoxygenase-1 oxidizes embedded endocannabinoids and thus reduces fluidity and local hydration of membrane lipids. Together, the present findings reveal further complexity in the regulation of endocannabinoid signaling within the central nervous system, disclosing novel control by oxidative pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Dainese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- European Center
for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome,
Italy
| | | | | | - Daniela Barsacchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marco Chiarini
- Department of Food
Science, University of Teramo, Teramo,
Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- European Center
for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome,
Italy
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Caprioli A, Coccurello R, Rapino C, Di Serio S, Di Tommaso M, Vertechy M, Vacca V, Battista N, Pavone F, Maccarrone M, Borsini F. The novel reversible fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor ST4070 increases endocannabinoid brain levels and counteracts neuropathic pain in different animal models. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 342:188-95. [PMID: 22514334 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.191403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of the enol carbamate 1-biphenyl-4-ylethenyl piperidine-1-carboxylate (ST4070), a novel reversible inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), was investigated for acute pain sensitivity and neuropathic pain in rats and mice. Brain enzymatic activity of FAAH and the endogenous levels of its substrates, anandamide (AEA; N-arachidonoylethanolamine), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), were measured in control and ST4070-treated mice. ST4070 (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg) was orally administered to assess mechanical nociceptive thresholds and allodynia by using the Randall-Selitto and von Frey tests, respectively. Neuropathy was induced in rats by either the chemotherapeutic agent vincristine or streptozotocin-induced diabetes, whereas the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was chosen to evaluate neuropathy in mice. ST4070 produced a significant increase of nociceptive threshold in rats and counteracted the decrease of nociceptive threshold in the three distinct models of neuropathic pain. In diabetic mice, ST4070 inhibited FAAH activity and increased the brain levels of AEA and PEA, without affecting that of 2-AG. The administration of ST4070 generated long-lasting pain relief compared with pregabalin and the FAAH inhibitors 1-oxo-1[5-(2-pyridyl)-2-yl]-7-phenylheptane (OL135) and cyclohexylcarbamic acid 3'-carbamoylbiphenyl-3-ylester (URB597) in CCI neuropathic mice. The antiallodynic effects of ST4070 were prevented by pretreatment with cannabinoid type 1 and cannabinoid type 2 receptor antagonists and by the selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α antagonist [(2S)-2-[[(1Z)-1-methyl-3-oxo-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-propenyl]amino]-3-[4-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)ethoxy]phenyl]propyl]-carbamic acid ethyl ester (GW6471). The administration of ST4070 generated long-lasting neuropathic pain relief compared with pregabalin and the FAAH inhibitors OL135 and URB597. Taken together, the reversible FAAH inhibitor ST4070 seems to be a promising novel therapeutic agent for the management of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Caprioli
- Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A., Via Pontina km. 30,400, 00040 Pomezia, Italy.
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Bashashati M, Storr MA, Nikas SP, Wood JT, Godlewski G, Liu J, Ho W, Keenan CM, Zhang H, Alapafuja SO, Cravatt BF, Lutz B, Mackie K, Kunos G, Patel KD, Makriyannis A, Davison JS, Sharkey KA. Inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase normalizes endotoxin-induced enhanced gastrointestinal motility in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 165:1556-71. [PMID: 21883147 PMCID: PMC3372737 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01644.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Gastrointestinal (GI) motility is regulated in part by fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs), including the endocannabinoid (EC) anandamide (AEA). The actions of FAEs are terminated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). We investigated the actions of the novel FAAH inhibitor AM3506 on normal and enhanced GI motility. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We examined the effect of AM3506 on electrically-evoked contractility in vitro and GI transit and colonic faecal output in vivo, in normal and FAAH-deficient mice treated with saline or LPS (100 µg·kg(-1), i.p.), in the presence and absence of cannabinoid (CB) receptor antagonists. mRNA expression was measured by quantitative real time-PCR, EC levels by liquid chromatography-MS and FAAH activity by the conversion of [(3)H]-AEA to [(3)H]-ethanolamine in intestinal extracts. FAAH expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS FAAH was dominantly expressed in the enteric nervous system; its mRNA levels were higher in the ileum than the colon. LPS enhanced ileal contractility in the absence of overt inflammation. AM3506 reversed the enhanced electrically-evoked contractions of the ileum through CB(1) and CB(2) receptors. LPS increased the rate of upper GI transit and faecal output. AM3506 normalized the enhanced GI transit through CB(1) and CB(2) receptors and faecal output through CB(1) receptors. LPS did not increase GI transit in FAAH-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Inhibiting FAAH normalizes various parameters of GI dysmotility in intestinal pathophysiology. Inhibition of FAAH represents a new approach to the treatment of disordered intestinal motility.
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MESH Headings
- Alkanesulfonates/pharmacology
- Amidohydrolases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Amidohydrolases/genetics
- Amidohydrolases/metabolism
- Animals
- Colon/drug effects
- Colon/metabolism
- Colon/physiology
- Endotoxins/pharmacology
- Enteric Nervous System/drug effects
- Enteric Nervous System/metabolism
- Gastrointestinal Motility/drug effects
- Gastrointestinal Motility/genetics
- Gastrointestinal Motility/physiology
- Ileum/drug effects
- Ileum/metabolism
- Ileum/physiology
- Inflammation/chemically induced
- Inflammation/genetics
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Motor Activity/drug effects
- Motor Activity/genetics
- Phenols/pharmacology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bashashati
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Cosenza-Nashat MA, Bauman A, Zhao ML, Morgello S, Suh HS, Lee SC. Cannabinoid receptor expression in HIV encephalitis and HIV-associated neuropathologic comorbidities. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2011; 37:464-83. [PMID: 21450051 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2011.01177.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Cannabinoids have been proposed for treating various neurodegenerative disorders and as adjunct therapy for HIV+ patients with neurologic sequelae. The expression of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) has been reported in neurodegenerative diseases and in simian immunodeficiency virus encephalitis, yet the receptor expression in the central nervous system of HIV+ individuals is not known. METHODS An anti-CB1 antibody and two anti-CB2 antibodies were employed for immunohistochemistry in the cerebral cortex and white matter of HIV encephalitis (HIVE) and HIV-associated comorbidities, as well as control brains (HIV- and HIV+). RESULTS By quantitative image analysis, we observed that CB1 was increased in HIVE brains and those with comorbidities, while CB2 was significantly increased in the white matter of HIVE. Morphologically, CB1 was present in neurones, and both CB1 and CB2 were present in meningeal macrophages and subpial glia in all brains. In HIVE, CB1 was found in white matter microglia and perivascular cells, while CB2 was increased in microglia, astrocytes and perivascular macrophages. Double immunofluorescence with cell-specific markers and immunoblots on primary cultured microglia and astrocytes substantiated the glial localization of the cannabinoid receptors and specificity of the antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that cannabinoid receptor expression occurs in glia in HIVE brains, and this may have ramifications for the potential use of cannabinoid ligands in HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Cosenza-Nashat
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx Department of Pathology, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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The endogenous cannabinoid system in the gut of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Mucosal Immunol 2011; 4:574-83. [PMID: 21471961 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2011.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Activation of cannabinoid receptors (CBs) by endocannabinoids impacts on a number of gastrointestinal functions. Recent data indicate that CB1 agonists improve 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in mice, thus suggesting a role for the endocannabinoid agonist anandamide (AEA) in protecting the gut against inflammation. We here examined the gut endocannabinoid system in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, and investigated the ex vivo and in vitro effects of the non-hydrolysable AEA analog methanandamide (MAEA) on the mucosal proinflammatory response. The content of AEA, but not of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol and N-palmitoylethanolamine, was significantly lower in inflamed than uninflamed IBD mucosa, and this was paralleled by lower activity of the AEA-synthesizing enzyme N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D and higher activity of the AEA-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase. MAEA significantly downregulated interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion by both organ culture biopsies and lamina propria mononuclear cells. Although these results are promising, further studies are needed to determine the role of cannabinoid pathways in gut inflammation.
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50
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Is lipid signaling through cannabinoid 2 receptors part of a protective system? Prog Lipid Res 2011; 50:193-211. [PMID: 21295074 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Revised: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian body has a highly developed immune system which guards against continuous invading protein attacks and aims at preventing, attenuating or repairing the inflicted damage. It is conceivable that through evolution analogous biological protective systems have been evolved against non-protein attacks. There is emerging evidence that lipid endocannabinoid signaling through cannabinoid 2 (CB₂) receptors may represent an example/part of such a protective system/armamentarium. Inflammation/tissue injury triggers rapid elevations in local endocannabinoid levels, which in turn regulate signaling responses in immune and other cells modulating their critical functions. Changes in endocannabinoid levels and/or CB₂ receptor expressions have been reported in almost all diseases affecting humans, ranging from cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, neurodegenerative, psychiatric, bone, skin, autoimmune, lung disorders to pain and cancer, and modulating CB₂ receptor activity holds tremendous therapeutic potential in these pathologies. While CB₂ receptor activation in general mediates immunosuppressive effects, which limit inflammation and associated tissue injury in large number of pathological conditions, in some disease states activation of the CB₂ receptor may enhance or even trigger tissue damage, which will also be discussed alongside the protective actions of the CB₂ receptor stimulation with endocannabinoids or synthetic agonists, and the possible biological mechanisms involved in these effects.
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