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Panagaki T, Janickova L, Petrovic D, Zuhra K, Ditrói T, Jurányi EP, Bremer O, Ascenção K, Philipp TM, Nagy P, Filipovic MR, Szabo C. Neurobehavioral dysfunction in a mouse model of Down syndrome: upregulation of cystathionine β-synthase, H 2S overproduction, altered protein persulfidation, synaptic dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy. GeroScience 2024; 46:4275-4314. [PMID: 38558215 PMCID: PMC11336008 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition where the person is born with an extra chromosome 21. DS is associated with accelerated aging; people with DS are prone to age-related neurological conditions including an early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Using the Dp(17)3Yey/ + mice, which overexpresses a portion of mouse chromosome 17, which encodes for the transsulfuration enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), we investigated the functional role of the CBS/hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway in the pathogenesis of neurobehavioral dysfunction in DS. The data demonstrate that CBS is higher in the brain of the DS mice than in the brain of wild-type mice, with primary localization in astrocytes. DS mice exhibited impaired recognition memory and spatial learning, loss of synaptosomal function, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy. Treatment of mice with aminooxyacetate, a prototypical CBS inhibitor, improved neurobehavioral function, reduced the degree of reactive gliosis in the DS brain, increased the ability of the synaptosomes to generate ATP, and reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress. H2S levels in the brain of DS mice were higher than in wild-type mice, but, unexpectedly, protein persulfidation was decreased. Many of the above alterations were more pronounced in the female DS mice. There was a significant dysregulation of metabolism in the brain of DS mice, which affected amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, endocannabinoid, and nucleotide metabolites; some of these alterations were reversed by treatment of the mice with the CBS inhibitor. Thus, the CBS/H2S pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of neurological dysfunction in DS in the current animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Panagaki
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Janickova
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Dunja Petrovic
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-E.V., Dortmund, Germany
| | - Karim Zuhra
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Tamás Ditrói
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter P Jurányi
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Olivier Bremer
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Kelly Ascenção
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Thilo M Philipp
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Péter Nagy
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, HUN-REN-UVMB Laboratory of Redox Biology Research Group, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Chemistry Institute, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Milos R Filipovic
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-E.V., Dortmund, Germany
| | - Csaba Szabo
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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Johnson CT, de Abreu GHD, Mackie K, Lu HC, Bradshaw HB. Cannabinoids accumulate in mouse breast milk and differentially regulate lipid composition and lipid signaling molecules involved in infant development. BBA ADVANCES 2022; 2:100054. [PMID: 36643901 PMCID: PMC9835790 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2022.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal cannabis use during lactation may expose developing infants to cannabinoids (CBs) such as Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBs modulate lipid signaling molecules in the central nervous system in age- and cell-dependent ways, but their influence on the lipid composition of breast milk has yet to be established. This study investigates the effects of THC, CBD, or their combination on milk lipids by analyzing the stomach contents of CD1 mouse pups that have been nursed by dams injected with CBs on postnatal days (PND) 1 -10. Stomach contents were collected 2 hours after the last injection on PND10 and HPLC/MS/MS was used to identify and quantify over 80 endogenous lipid species and cannabinoids in the samples. We show that CBs differentially accumulate in milk, lead to widespread decreases in free fatty acids, decreases in N-acyl methionine species, increases N-linoleoyl species, as well as modulate levels of endogenous CBs (eCBs) AEA, 2-AG, and their structural congeners. Our data indicate the passage of CBs to pups through breast milk and that maternal CB exposure alters breast milk lipid compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare T Johnson
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States
| | | | - Ken Mackie
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States
- Gill Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States
- Gill Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States
| | - Heather B Bradshaw
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States
- Corresponding author.
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3
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Function and therapeutic potential of N-acyl amino acids. Chem Phys Lipids 2021; 239:105114. [PMID: 34217720 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2021.105114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
N-acyl amino acids (NAAs) are amphiphilic molecules, with different potential fatty acid and head group moieties. NAAs are the largest family of anandamide congener lipids discovered to date. In recent years, several NAAs have been identified as potential ligands, engaging novel binding sites and mechanisms for modulation of membrane proteins such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs), nuclear receptors, ion channels, and transporters. NAAs play a key role in a variety of physiological functions as lipid signaling molecules. Understanding the structure, function roles, and pharmacological potential of these NAAs is still in its infancy, and the biochemical roles are also mostly unknown. This review will provide a summary of the literature on NAAs and emphasize their therapeutic potential.
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4
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Piscitelli F, Guida F, Luongo L, Iannotti FA, Boccella S, Verde R, Lauritano A, Imperatore R, Smoum R, Cristino L, Lichtman AH, Parker LA, Mechoulam R, Maione S, Di Marzo V. Protective Effects of N-Oleoylglycine in a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1117-1128. [PMID: 32017529 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of death in young people for which currently no efficacious treatment exists. Recently, we have reported that mice with mild-TBI with a specific injury in the insula showed elevated levels of a little investigated N-acyl amino acid, N-oleoylglycine (OlGly). N-acyl amino acids have recently experienced an increased interest because of their important biological activities. They belong to the endocannabinoidome family of lipids with structural similarities with the endocannabinoids (eCBs). The aim of this study was to test the neuroprotective and antihyperalgesic actions of OlGly in a model of mouse mild-TBI (mTBI) and its effect on levels of eCBs and N-acylethanolamines at the end of treatment. Following mTBI, mice were administered a daily injection of OlGly (10-50-100 mg/kg i.p.) for 14 days. Treatment with OlGly normalized motor impairment and behavior in the light/dark box test, ameliorated TBI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and normalized aggressiveness and depression. Moreover, levels of eCBs and some N-acylethanolamines underwent significant changes 60 days after TBI, especially in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus, and OlGly reversed some of these changes. In conclusion, our findings reveal that OlGly ameliorates the behavioral alterations associated with mTBI in mice, while concomitantly modulating eCB and eCB-like mediator tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Piscitelli
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Verde
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Lauritano
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Imperatore
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Luigia Cristino
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Linda A. Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
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5
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Battista N, Bari M, Bisogno T. N-Acyl Amino Acids: Metabolism, Molecular Targets, and Role in Biological Processes. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9120822. [PMID: 31817019 PMCID: PMC6995544 DOI: 10.3390/biom9120822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid signal is becoming increasingly crowded as increasingly fatty acid amide derivatives are being identified and considered relevant therapeutic targets. The identification of N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine as endogenous ligand of cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors as well as the development of different–omics technologies have the merit to have led to the discovery of a huge number of naturally occurring N-acyl-amines. Among those mediators, N-acyl amino acids, chemically related to the endocannabinoids and belonging to the complex lipid signaling system now known as endocannabinoidome, have been rapidly growing for their therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current knowledge of the mechanisms for the biosynthesis and inactivation of the N-acyl amino acids, as well as the various molecular targets for some of the N-acyl amino acids described so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (M.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (M.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Tiziana Bisogno
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (M.B.); (T.B.)
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6
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Abstract
Research in the cannabinoid field, namely on phytocannabinoids, the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and their metabolizing and synthetic enzymes, the cannabinoid receptors, and anandamide-like cannabinoid compounds, has expanded tremendously over the last few years. Numerous endocannabinoid-like compounds have been discovered. The Cannabis plant constituent cannabidiol (CBD) was found to exert beneficial effects in many preclinical disease models ranging from epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and autoimmunity to neurodegenerative and kidney diseases and cancer. CBD was recently approved in the United States for the treatment of rare forms of childhood epilepsy. This has triggered the development of many CBD-based products for human use, often with overstated claims regarding their therapeutic effects. In this article, the recently published research on the chemistry and biological effects of plant cannabinoids (specifically CBD), endocannabinoids, certain long-chain fatty acid amides, and the variety of relevant receptors is critically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pal Pacher
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA;
| | - Natalya M Kogan
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel;
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel;
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7
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Magid L, Heymann S, Elgali M, Avram L, Cohen Y, Liraz-Zaltsman S, Mechoulam R, Shohami E. Role of CB 2 Receptor in the Recovery of Mice after Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:1836-1846. [PMID: 30489198 PMCID: PMC6551996 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most widely used plant drugs in the world today. In spite of the large number of scientific reports on medical marijuana, there still exists much controversy surrounding its use and the potential for abuse due to the undesirable psychotropic effects. However, recent developments in medicinal chemistry of novel non-psychoactive synthetic cannabinoids have indicated that it is possible to separate some of the therapeutic effects from the psychoactivity. We have previously shown that treatment with the endocannabinoid 2-AG, which binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors 1 h after traumatic brain injury in mice, attenuates neurological deficits, edema formation, infarct volume, blood-brain barrier permeability, neuronal cell loss at the CA3 hippocampal region, and neuroinflammation. Recently, we synthesized a set of camphor-resorcinol derivatives, which represent a novel series of CB2 receptor selective ligands. Most of the novel compounds exhibited potent binding and agonistic properties at the CB2 receptors with very low affinity for the CB1 receptor, and some were highly anti-inflammatory. This selective binding correlated with their intrinsic activities. HU-910 and HU-914 were selected in the present study to evaluate their potential effect in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In mice and rats subjected to closed-head injury and treated with these novel compounds, we showed enhanced neurobehavioral recovery, inhibition of tumor necrosis factor α production, increased synaptogenesis, and partial recovery of the cortical spinal tract. We propose these CB2 agonists as potential drugs for development of novel therapeutic modality to TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lital Magid
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sami Heymann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Merav Elgali
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Liat Avram
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoram Cohen
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sigal Liraz-Zaltsman
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Esther Shohami
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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8
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Bodnar CN, Roberts KN, Higgins EK, Bachstetter AD. A Systematic Review of Closed Head Injury Models of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice and Rats. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:1683-1706. [PMID: 30661454 PMCID: PMC6555186 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild TBI (mTBI) is a significant health concern. Animal models of mTBI are essential for understanding mechanisms, and pathological outcomes, as well as to test therapeutic interventions. A variety of closed head models of mTBI that incorporate different aspects (i.e., biomechanics) of the mTBI have been reported. The aim of the current review was to compile a comprehensive list of the closed head mTBI rodent models, along with the common data elements, and outcomes, with the goal to summarize the current state of the field. Publications were identified from a search of PubMed and Web of Science and screened for eligibility following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were included that were closed head injuries in which the authors classified the injury as mild in rats or mice. Injury model and animal-specific common data elements, as well as behavioral and histological outcomes, were collected and compiled from a total of 402 articles. Our results outline the wide variety of methods used to model mTBI. We also discovered that female rodents and both young and aged animals are under-represented in experimental mTBI studies. Our findings will aid in providing context comparing the injury models and provide a starting point for the selection of the most appropriate model of mTBI to address a specific hypothesis. We believe this review will be a useful starting place for determining what has been done and what knowledge is missing in the field to reduce the burden of mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen N. Bodnar
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Kelly N. Roberts
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Emma K. Higgins
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Adam D. Bachstetter
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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9
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Di Marzo V. New approaches and challenges to targeting the endocannabinoid system. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:623-639. [DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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10
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Lüder E, Ramer R, Peters K, Hinz B. Decisive role of P42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase in Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced migration of human mesenchymal stem cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:105984-105994. [PMID: 29285308 PMCID: PMC5739695 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In past years, medical interest in Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive ingredient of the Cannabis plant, has been renewed due to the elucidation of the endocannabinoid system and diverse other receptor targets involved in biological cannabinoid effects. The present study therefore investigates the impact of THC on the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which are known to be involved in various regenerative processes such as bone healing. Using Boyden chamber assays, THC was found to increase the migration of adipose-derived MSCs. Migration by THC was almost completely suppressed by the CB1 receptor antagonist AM-251 and to a lesser extent by the CB2 receptor antagonist AM-630. By contrast, the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine as well as the G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GRP55) agonist O-1602 did not significantly interfere with the promigratory effect of THC. Furthermore, increased migration by THC was fully suppressed by PD98059, an inhibitor of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and was accompanied by a time-dependent activation of this pathway accordingly. In line with the migration data, additional inhibitor experiments pointed towards a decisive role of the CB1 receptor in conferring THC-induced activation of p42/44 MAPK. Collectively, this study demonstrates THC to exert a promigratory effect on MSCs via a CB1 receptor-dependent activation of p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation. This pathway may be involved in regenerative effects of THC and could be a target of pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Lüder
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Cell Biology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert Ramer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Kirsten Peters
- Department of Cell Biology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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11
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Oddi S, Totaro A, Scipioni L, Dufrusine B, Stepniewski TM, Selent J, Maccarrone M, Dainese E. Role of palmitoylation of cysteine 415 in functional coupling CB 1 receptor to Gα i2 protein. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2017; 65:16-20. [PMID: 28722168 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the role of CB1 palmitoylation in modulating the functional interaction with G proteins both in the absence and presence of agonist binding. Our data show that the nonpalmitoylated CB1 receptor significantly reduced its association with Gαi2 . The agonist stimulation induced a partial dissociation of Gαi2 proteins from the wild-type receptor, while on the C415A mutant the agonist binding was not able to induce a significant dissociation of Gαi2 from the receptor. The lack of palmitoyl chain seems to hamper the ability of the receptor to functionally interact with the Gαi2 and indicate that the palmitoyl chain is responsible for the functional transmission of the agonist-induced conformational change in the receptor of the G protein. These data were further corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations. Overall these results suggest that palmitoylation of the CB1 receptor finely tunes its interaction with G proteins and serves as a targeting signal for its functional regulation. Of note, the possibility to reversibly modulate the palmitoylation of CB1 receptor may offer a coordinated process of regulation and could open new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Oddi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.,European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Totaro
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Scipioni
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Dufrusine
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Tomasz Maciej Stepniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Dainese
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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12
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Mechoulam R. Cannabis - the Israeli perspective. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2017; 27:181-7. [PMID: 26426888 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2015-0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Short overviews are presented on the historical uses of cannabis in the Middle East and on the more recent scientific and medical research on phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, with emphasis on research contributions from Israel. These are followed by examples of research projects and clinical trials with cannabinoids and by a short report on the regulation of medical marijuana in Israel, which at present is administered to over 22,000 patients.
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13
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Mann A, Cohen-Yeshurun A, Trembovler V, Mechoulam R, Shohami E. Are the endocannabinoid-like compounds N-acyl aminoacids neuroprotective after traumatic brain injury? J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2016; 27:209-216. [PMID: 26565551 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2015-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, a library of approx. 70 N-acyl aminoacids (NAAAs) was discovered in the rat brain. A particular member of this family of compounds is arachidonoyl serine (AraS), which has generated special interest as a potential therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is due to its structural similarity to the endocannabinoid (eCB) 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), which was previously shown to be beneficial in the recovery in a closed head injury model of TBI. Indeed, AraS exerted eCB-mediated neuroprotection, which was evident in numerous aspects related to the secondary damage characterizing TBI. These findings promoted broadening of the research to additional compounds of the NAAA family that share a structural similarity to AraS, namely, palmitoyl serine (PalmS) and oleoyl serine. The latter did not exhibit any improvement in recovery, whereas the former displayed some neuroprotection, albeit inferior to 2-AG and AraS, via unknown mechanisms. Interestingly, when a combined treatment of 2-AG, AraS and PalmS was tested, the overall effect on the severity score was inferior to their individual effects, suggesting not only a lack of direct or indirect synergism, but also possibly some spatial hindrance. Taken together, the complexity of the damage caused by TBI and the many open questions concerning the role of the eCB system in health and disease, the findings so far may serve as a small trace to the understanding of the eCB system, as well as of the mechanisms underlying TBI.
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Cabral GA, Rogers TJ, Lichtman AH. Turning Over a New Leaf: Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Modulation of Immune Function. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2015; 10:193-203. [PMID: 26054900 PMCID: PMC4469415 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-015-9615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is a complex substance that harbors terpenoid-like compounds referred to as phytocannabinoids. The major psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in cannabis ∆(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produces the majority of its pharmacological effects through two cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2. The discovery of these receptors as linked functionally to distinct biological effects of THC, and the subsequent development of synthetic cannabinoids, precipitated discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid (or endocannabinoid) system. This system consists of the endogenous lipid ligands N- arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide; AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), their biosynthetic and degradative enzymes, and the CB1 and CB2 receptors that they activate. Endocannabinoids have been identified in immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, basophils, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells and are believed to be enzymatically produced and released "on demand" in a similar fashion as the eicosanoids. It is now recognized that other phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) can alter the functional activities of the immune system. This special edition of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology (JNIP) presents a collection of cutting edge original research and review articles on the medical implications of phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. The goal of this special edition is to provide an unbiased assessment of the state of research related to this topic from leading researchers in the field. The potential untoward effects as well as beneficial uses of marijuana, its phytocannabinoid composition, and synthesized cannabinoid analogs are discussed. In addition, the role of the endocannabinoid system and approaches to its manipulation to treat select human disease processes are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy A Cabral
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA,
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