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Mikkelsen JD, Aripaka SS, Egilmez CB, Pazarlar BA. Binding of the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) radiotracer [ 3H]T-401 in the rat brain after status epilepticus. Neurochem Int 2024; 175:105717. [PMID: 38447759 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a cytosolic serine hydrolase considered a potential novel drug target for the treatment of CNS disorders including epilepsy. Here we examined MAGL levels in a rat model of epilepsy. METHODS Autoradiography has been used to validate the binding properties of the MAGL radiotracer, [3H]T-401, in the rat brain, and to explore spatial and temporal changes in binding levels in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy model using unilateral intra-hippocampal injections of kainic acid (KA) in rats. RESULTS Specific and saturable binding of [3H]T-401 was detected in both cortical grey and subcortical white matter. Saturation experiments revealed a KD in the range between 15 nM and 17 nM, and full saturation was achieved at concentrations around 30 nM. The binding could be completely blocked with the cold ligand (Ki 44.2 nM) and at higher affinity (Ki 1.27 nM) with another structurally different MAGL inhibitor, ABD 1970. Bilateral reduction in [3H]T-401 binding was observed in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus few days after status epilepticus that further declined to a level of around 30% compared to the control. No change in binding was observed in either the hypothalamus nor the white matter at any time point. Direct comparison to [3H]UCB-J binding to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 A (SV2A), another protein localized in the pre-synapse, revealed that while binding to MAGL remained low in the chronic phase, SV2A was increased significantly in some cortical areas. SIGNIFICANCE These data show that MAGL is reduced in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in a chronic epilepsy model and indicate that MAGL inhibitors may further reduce MAGL activity in the treatment resistant epilepsy patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens D Mikkelsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sanjay S Aripaka
- Neurobiology Research Unit, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cansu B Egilmez
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Burcu A Pazarlar
- Neurobiology Research Unit, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
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Hosseinzadeh Anvar L, Moosavi SE, Charsouei S, Zeinalzadeh N, Nikanfar M, Ahmadalipour A. Association Between the Endocannabinoid System-Related Gene Variants and Epilepsy. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04132-5. [PMID: 38578355 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04132-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an intricate network consisting of receptors, enzymes, and endogenous ligands that play a pivotal role in various neurological processes. It has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, including epilepsy. Extensive research has demonstrated the involvement of genetic factors in influencing the susceptibility to and progression of epilepsy. In this study, we focused on investigating the connection between genetic variations in genes related to the ECS and the occurrence of epilepsy. Some ECS-related gene variants were selected and genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Interestingly, CNR1 rs12720071 genotype (OR 16.33, 95% CI 1.8-149; p = 0.001) showed an association with generalized epilepsy and MGLL rs604300 genotype (OR 2, 95% CI 1.1-3.4; p = 0.013) demonstrated a relationship with females diagnosed with focal epilepsy. So, studying CNR1, MGLL, and their genetic variations provides insights into the role of the endocannabinoid system in health and diseases. Moreover, they hold the potential to pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic approaches specifically targeting them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Hosseinzadeh Anvar
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyyed Ebrahim Moosavi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeid Charsouei
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Narges Zeinalzadeh
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Masoud Nikanfar
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadalipour
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Devinsky O, Jones NA, Cunningham MO, Jayasekera BAP, Devore S, Whalley BJ. Cannabinoid treatments in epilepsy and seizure disorders. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:591-649. [PMID: 37882730 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00049.2021] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has been used to treat convulsions and other disorders since ancient times. In the last few decades, preclinical animal studies and clinical investigations have established the role of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating epilepsy and seizures and support potential therapeutic benefits for cannabinoids in other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Here, we comprehensively review the role of cannabinoids in epilepsy. We briefly review the diverse physiological processes mediating the central nervous system response to cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol, and terpenes. Next, we characterize the anti- and proconvulsive effects of cannabinoids from animal studies of acute seizures and chronic epileptogenesis. We then review the clinical literature on using cannabinoids to treat epilepsy, including anecdotal evidence and case studies as well as the more recent randomized controlled clinical trials that led to US Food and Drug Administration approval of CBD for some types of epilepsy. Overall, we seek to evaluate our current understanding of cannabinoids in epilepsy and focus future research on unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
| | | | - Mark O Cunningham
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - B Ashan P Jayasekera
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sasha Devore
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
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Forte N, Nicois A, Marfella B, Mavaro I, D'Angelo L, Piscitelli F, Scandurra A, De Girolamo P, Baldelli P, Benfenati F, Di Marzo V, Cristino L. Early endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of excitation delays the appearance of the epileptic phenotype in synapsin II knockout mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:37. [PMID: 38214769 PMCID: PMC11072294 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05029-7] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The mechanism underlying the transition from the pre-symptomatic to the symptomatic state is a crucial aspect of epileptogenesis. SYN2 is a member of a multigene family of synaptic vesicle phosphoproteins playing a fundamental role in controlling neurotransmitter release. Human SYN2 gene mutations are associated with epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Mice knocked out for synapsin II (SynII KO) are prone to epileptic seizures that appear after 2 months of age. However, the involvement of the endocannabinoid system, known to regulate seizure development and propagation, in the modulation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the epileptic hippocampal network of SynII KO mice has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the impact of endocannabinoids on glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses at hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells in young pre-symptomatic (1-2 months old) and adult symptomatic (5-8 months old) SynII KO mice. We observed an increase in endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of excitation in young SynII KO mice, compared to age-matched wild-type controls. In contrast, the endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition remained unchanged in SynII KO mice at both ages. This selective alteration of excitatory synaptic transmission was accompanied by changes in hippocampal endocannabinoid levels and cannabinoid receptor type 1 distribution among glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic terminals contacting the granule cells of the dentate gyrus. Finally, inhibition of type-1 cannabinoid receptors in young pre-symptomatic SynII KO mice induced seizures during a tail suspension test. Our results suggest that endocannabinoids contribute to maintaining network stability in a genetic mouse model of human epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Forte
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Alessandro Nicois
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Brenda Marfella
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Isabella Mavaro
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Livia D'Angelo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Anna Scandurra
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo De Girolamo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Baldelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy.
- Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
- Heart and Lung Research Institute of Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
- Institute for Nutrition and Functional Foods, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Luigia Cristino
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy.
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Chen C. Inhibiting degradation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 244:108394. [PMID: 36966972 PMCID: PMC10123871 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid signaling mediators that participate in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannabinoid and is a full agonist of G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R), which are targets of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. While 2-AG has been well recognized as a retrograde messenger modulating synaptic transmission and plasticity at both inhibitory GABAergic and excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the brain, growing evidence suggests that 2-AG also functions as an endogenous terminator of neuroinflammation in response to harmful insults, thus maintaining brain homeostasis. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the key enzyme that degrades 2-AG in the brain. The immediate metabolite of 2-AG is arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes. Several lines of evidence indicate that pharmacological or genetic inactivation of MAGL, which boosts 2-AG levels and reduces its hydrolytic metabolites, resolves neuroinflammation, mitigates neuropathology, and improves synaptic and cognitive functions in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced neurodegenerative disease. Thus, it has been proposed that MAGL is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. As the main enzyme hydrolyzing 2-AG, several MAGL inhibitors have been identified and developed. However, our understanding of the mechanisms by which inactivation of MAGL produces neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases remains limited. A recent finding that inhibition of 2-AG metabolism in astrocytes, but not in neurons, protects the brain from TBI-induced neuropathology might shed some light on this unsolved issue. This review provides an overview of MAGL as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases and discusses possible mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of restraining degradation of 2-AG in the brain.
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Hippocampal expression of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 in canine epilepsy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3138. [PMID: 36823232 PMCID: PMC9950490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29868-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine drug-resistant epilepsy is a prevailing issue in veterinary neurology. Alternative or additional treatment with cannabinoids is showing promising results in seizure management. A crucial component of the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), is heavily involved in the control of neurotransmitter release. Knowledge of its distribution in the epileptic brain would serve a better understanding of disease pathology and application of cannabinoids in dogs with epilepsy. CB1R distribution was assessed in sub-regions of hippocampus of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, structural epilepsy and without cerebral pathology. In dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, significantly decreased CB1R expression compared to control animals was observed in CA1. In dogs with structural epilepsy, a significant increase in CB1R signal intensity in comparison to controls was observed. CB1R expression was higher in the structural group as compared to the idiopathic. Double immunofluorescence showed co-localization between CB1R and an astrocytic marker in about 50% of cells, regardless of the diagnosis. In summary, CB1R expression in canine hippocampus undergoes modification by the epileptic process and the direction of this change depends on the etiology of the disease. The distinct disease-associated CB1R expression needs to be considered in new treatment development for dogs with epilepsy.
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7
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Stella N. THC and CBD: Similarities and differences between siblings. Neuron 2023; 111:302-327. [PMID: 36638804 PMCID: PMC9898277 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in their mechanisms of action and effects on brain functions. Both THC and CBD exhibit promising therapeutic properties; however, impairments and increased incidence of mental health diseases are associated with acute and chronic THC use, respectively, and significant side effects are associated with chronic use of high-dose CBD. This review covers recent molecular and preclinical discoveries concerning the distinct mechanisms of action and bioactivities of THC and CBD and their impact on human behavior and diseases. These discoveries provide a foundation for the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for multiple devastating diseases and to assure their safe use in the growing legal market of Cannabis-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Cannabis Research, Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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8
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2-AG-Mediated Control of GABAergic Signaling Is Impaired in a Model of Epilepsy. J Neurosci 2023; 43:571-583. [PMID: 36460464 PMCID: PMC9888507 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0541-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated seizures result in a persistent maladaptation of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, mediated part by anandamide signaling deficiency in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) that manifests as aberrant synaptic function and altered emotional behavior. Here, we determined the effect of repeated seizures (kindling) on 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) signaling on GABA transmission by directly measuring tonic and phasic eCB-mediated retrograde signaling in an in vitro BLA slice preparation from male rats. We report that both activity-dependent and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR)-mediated depression of GABA synaptic transmission was reduced following repeated seizure activity. These effects were recapitulated in sham rats by preincubating slices with the 2-AG synthesizing enzyme inhibitor DO34. Conversely, preincubating slices with the 2-AG degrading enzyme inhibitor KML29 rescued activity-dependent 2-AG signaling, but not mAChR-mediated synaptic depression, over GABA transmission in kindled rats. These effects were not attributable to a change in cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor sensitivity or altered 2-AG tonic signaling since the application of the highly selective CB1 receptor agonist CP55,940 provoked a similar reduction in GABA synaptic activity in both sham and kindled rats, while no effect of either DO34 or of the CB1 inverse agonist AM251 was observed on frequency and amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs in either sham or kindled rats. Collectively, these data provide evidence that repeated amygdala seizures persistently alter phasic 2-AG-mediated retrograde signaling at BLA GABAergic synapses, probably by impairing stimulus-dependent 2-AG synthesis/release, which contributes to the enduring aberrant synaptic plasticity associated with seizure activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The plastic reorganization of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling after seizures and during epileptogenesis may contribute to the negative neurobiological consequences associated with seizure activity. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular basis underlying the pathologic long-term eCB signaling remodeling following seizure activity will be crucial to the development of novel therapies for epilepsy that not only target seizure activity, but, most importantly, the epileptogenesis and the comorbid conditions associated with epilepsy.
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Papa A, Pasquini S, Contri C, Gemma S, Campiani G, Butini S, Varani K, Vincenzi F. Polypharmacological Approaches for CNS Diseases: Focus on Endocannabinoid Degradation Inhibition. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030471. [PMID: 35159280 PMCID: PMC8834510 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polypharmacology breaks up the classical paradigm of “one-drug, one target, one disease” electing multitarget compounds as potential therapeutic tools suitable for the treatment of complex diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, psychiatric or degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and cancer. These diseases often require a combination therapy which may result in positive but also negative synergistic effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is emerging as a particularly attractive therapeutic target in CNS disorders and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), pain, and epilepsy. ECS is an organized neuromodulatory network, composed by endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors type 1 and type 2 (CB1 and CB2), and the main catabolic enzymes involved in the endocannabinoid inactivation such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The multiple connections of the ECS with other signaling pathways in the CNS allows the consideration of the ECS as an optimal source of inspiration in the development of innovative polypharmacological compounds. In this review, we focused our attention on the reported polypharmacological examples in which FAAH and MAGL inhibitors are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Papa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Silvia Pasquini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Chiara Contri
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-234161
| | - Katia Varani
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
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Sugaya Y, Kano M. Endocannabinoid-Mediated Control of Neural Circuit Excitability and Epileptic Seizures. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:781113. [PMID: 35046779 PMCID: PMC8762319 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.781113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on endocannabinoid signaling has greatly advanced our understanding of how the excitability of neural circuits is controlled in health and disease. In general, endocannabinoid signaling at excitatory synapses suppresses excitability by inhibiting glutamate release, while that at inhibitory synapses promotes excitability by inhibiting GABA release, although there are some exceptions in genetically epileptic animal models. In the epileptic brain, the physiological distributions of endocannabinoid signaling molecules are disrupted during epileptogenesis, contributing to the occurrence of spontaneous seizures. However, it is still unknown how endocannabinoid signaling changes during seizures and how the redistribution of endocannabinoid signaling molecules proceeds during epileptogenesis. Recent development of cannabinoid sensors has enabled us to investigate endocannabinoid signaling in much greater spatial and temporal details than before. Application of cannabinoid sensors to epilepsy research has elucidated activity-dependent changes in endocannabinoid signaling during seizures. Furthermore, recent endocannabinoid research has paved the way for the clinical use of cannabidiol for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex. Cannabidiol significantly reduces seizures and is considered to have comparable tolerability to conventional antiepileptic drugs. In this article, we introduce recent advances in research on the roles of endocannabinoid signaling in epileptic seizures and discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Sugaya
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Masanobu Kano,
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11
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Epps SA. Commonalities for comorbidity: Overlapping features of the endocannabinoid system in depression and epilepsy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1041460. [PMID: 36339877 PMCID: PMC9626804 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1041460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A wealth of clinical and pre-clinical data supports a bidirectional comorbidity between depression and epilepsy. This suggests commonalities in underlying mechanisms that may serve as targets for more effective treatment strategies. Unfortunately, many patients with this comorbidity are highly refractory to current treatment strategies, while others experience a worsening of one arm of the comorbidity when treating the other arm. This highlights the need for novel pharmaceutical targets that may provide safe and effective relief for both depression and epilepsy symptoms. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the brain has become an area of intense interest for possible roles in depression and epilepsy. Several existing literature reviews have provided in-depth analysis of the involvement of various aspects of the ECS in depression or epilepsy separately, while others have addressed the effectiveness of different treatment strategies targeting the ECS in either condition individually. However, there is not currently a review that considers the ECS when both conditions are comorbid. This mini-review will address areas of common overlap between the ECS in depression and in epilepsy, such as commonalities in endocannabinoids themselves, their receptors, and degradative enzymes. These areas of overlap will be discussed alongside their implications for treatment of this challenging comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Alisha Epps
- Department of Psychology, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA, United States
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Martínez-Aguirre C, Cinar R, Rocha L. Targeting Endocannabinoid System in Epilepsy: For Good or for Bad. Neuroscience 2021; 482:172-185. [PMID: 34923038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with a high prevalence worldwide. Several studies carried out during the last decades indicate that the administration of cannabinoids as well as the activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) represent a therapeutic strategy to control epilepsy. However, there are controversial studies indicating that activation of ECS results in cell damage, inflammation and neurotoxicity, conditions that facilitate the seizure activity. The present review is focused to present findings supporting this issue. According to the current discrepancies, it is relevant to elucidate the different effects induced by the activation of ECS and determine the conditions under which it facilitates the seizure activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Resat Cinar
- Section on Fibrotic Disorders, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, USA
| | - Luisa Rocha
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Rostami-Mansoor S, Kalantari N, Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Ghaffari S, Ghasemi-Kasman M. Modulation of mRNA Expression of Monoacylglycerol Lipase, Diacylglycerol Lipase and Cannabinoid Receptor-1 in Mice Experimentally Infected with T. gondii. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2021; 10:149-155. [PMID: 34703798 PMCID: PMC8496245 DOI: 10.22088/ijmcm.bums.10.2.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, infects more than 30% of world's population. This parasite is considered to be neurotropic, and has high tropism for the central nervous system, and potentially induces cryptogenic epilepsy by no clear mechanism. The current study aimed to investigate the alteration of the main components of the endocannabinoid signaling systems in T. gondii-infected mice. For this purpose, the levels of mRNA expression of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1), were measured by quantitative real time PCR.The mRNA expression level of MAGL was increased by ~ 8-fold in the brains of the Toxoplasma-infected group in comparison with non-infected mice (P<0.0001). The mRNA expression of CB1 gene in the brain of the infected mice was ~ 2 times higher than that measured in control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression level of DAGL remained unchanged in the infected mice. Overall a substantial increase in MAGL and CB1 expression without any changes in DAGL, in the brain of infected mice suggests that T. gondii disturbs the endocannabinoid signaling pathways, which are known as neurotransmitter modulators involved in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Rostami-Mansoor
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Narges Kalantari
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Salman Ghaffari
- Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Maryam Ghasemi-Kasman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Asth L, Iglesias LP, De Oliveira AC, Moraes MFD, Moreira FA. Exploiting cannabinoid and vanilloid mechanisms for epilepsy treatment. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:106832. [PMID: 31839498 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the possible roles of phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and "transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1" (TRPV1) channel blockers in epilepsy treatment. The phytocannabinoids are compounds produced by the herb Cannabis sativa, from which Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the main active compound. The therapeutic applications of Δ9-THC are limited, whereas cannabidiol (CBD), another phytocannabinoid, induces antiepileptic effects in experimental animals and in patients with refractory epilepsies. Synthetic CB1 agonists induce mixed effects, which hamper their therapeutic applications. A more promising strategy focuses on compounds that increase the brain levels of anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced on-demand to counteract hyperexcitability. Thus, anandamide hydrolysis inhibitors might represent a future class of antiepileptic drugs. Finally, compounds that block the TRPV1 ("vanilloid") channel, a possible anandamide target in the brain, have also been investigated. In conclusion, the therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids (CBD) is already in practice, although its mechanisms of action remain unclear. Endocannabinoid and TRPV1 mechanisms warrant further basic studies to support their potential clinical applications. This article is part of the Special Issue "NEWroscience 2018".
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Asth
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lia P Iglesias
- Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antônio C De Oliveira
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcio F D Moraes
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabrício A Moreira
- Graduate School in Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate School in Neurosciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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15
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Low-Frequency Stimulation Prevents Kindling-Induced Impairment through the Activation of the Endocannabinoid System. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5526780. [PMID: 34222471 PMCID: PMC8225428 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5526780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Cannabinoid system affects memory and has anticonvulsant effects in epileptic models. In the current study, the role of cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors was investigated in amelioration of the effects of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) on learning and memory impairments in kindled rats. Methods Electrical stimulation of the hippocampal CA1 area was employed to kindle the animals. LFS was applied to the CA1 area in four trials following the last kindling stimulation. One group of animals received intraperitoneal injection of AM251 (0.1 μg/rat), a CB1 receptor antagonist, before the LFS application. Similarly, CB1 agonist WIN55-212-2 (WIN) was administrated to another group prior to LFS. The Morris water maze (MWM) and the novel object recognition (NOR) tests were executed 48 h after the last kindling stimulation to assess learning and memory. Results Applying LFS in the kindled+LFS group restored learning and memory impairments in the kindled rats. There was a significant difference between the kindled and the kindled+LFS groups in learning and memory. The application of AM251 reduced the LFS effects significantly. Adversely, WIN acted similarly to LFS and alleviated learning and memory deficits in the kindled+WIN group. In addition, WIN did not counteract the LFS enhancing effects in the KLFS+WIN group. Conclusions Improving effects of LFS on learning and memory impairments are mediated through the activation of the endocannabinoid (ECB) system.
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Colangeli R, Teskey GC, Di Giovanni G. Endocannabinoid-serotonin systems interaction in health and disease. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 259:83-134. [PMID: 33541682 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoid (eCB) and serotonin (5-HT) neuromodulatory systems work both independently and together to finely orchestrate neuronal activity throughout the brain to strongly sculpt behavioral functions. Surprising parallelism between the behavioral effects of 5-HT and eCB activity has been widely reported, including the regulation of emotional states, stress homeostasis, cognitive functions, food intake and sleep. The distribution pattern of the 5-HT system and the eCB molecular elements in the brain display a strong overlap and several studies report a functional interplay and even a tight interdependence between eCB/5-HT signaling. In this review, we examine the available evidence of the interaction between the eCB and 5-HT systems. We first introduce the eCB system, then we describe the eCB/5-HT crosstalk at the neuronal and synaptic levels. Finally, we explore the potential eCB/5-HT interaction at the behavioral level with the implication for psychiatric and neurological disorders. The precise elucidation of how this neuromodulatory interaction dynamically regulates biological functions may lead to the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders, psychosis and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Colangeli
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - G Campbell Teskey
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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17
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Medeiros DDC, Cota VR, Oliveira ACP, Moreira FA, Moraes MFD. The Endocannabinoid System Activation as a Neural Network Desynchronizing Mediator for Seizure Suppression. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:603245. [PMID: 33281577 PMCID: PMC7691588 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.603245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The understanding that hyper-excitability and hyper-synchronism in epilepsy are indissociably bound by a cause-consequence relation has only recently been challenged. Thus, therapeutic strategies for seizure suppression have often aimed at inhibiting excitatory circuits and/or activating inhibitory ones. However, new approaches that aim to desynchronize networks or compromise abnormal coupling between adjacent neural circuitry have been proven effective, even at the cost of enhancing local neuronal activation. Although most of these novel perspectives targeting circuitry desynchronization and network coupling have been implemented by non-pharmacological devices, we argue that there may be endogenous neurochemical systems that act primarily in the desynchronization component of network behavior rather than dampening excitability of individual neurons. This review explores the endocannabinoid system as one such possible pharmacological landmark for mimicking a form of "on-demand" desynchronization analogous to those proposed by deep brain stimulation in the treatment of epilepsy. This essay discusses the evidence supporting the role of the endocannabinoid system in modulating the synchronization and/or coupling of distinct local neural circuitry; which presents obvious implications on the physiological setting of proper sensory-motor integration. Accordingly, the process of ictogenesis involves pathological circuit coupling that could be avoided, or at least have its spread throughout the containment of other areas, if such endogenous mechanisms of control could be activated or potentiated by pharmacological intervention. In addition, we will discuss evidence that supports not only a weaker role played on neuronal excitability but the potential of the endocannabinoid system strengthening its modulatory effect, only when circuitry coupling surpasses a level of activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel de Castro Medeiros
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Rosa Cota
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neuroengenharia e Neurociências, Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos P Oliveira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabricio A Moreira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Márcio Flávio Dutra Moraes
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Centro de Tecnologia e Pesquisa em Magneto Ressonância, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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18
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Xue B, Zhang X, Wang Y. Bench to bedside: Multiple facets of cannabinoid control in epilepsy. Neurochem Int 2020; 141:104898. [PMID: 33159980 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disease recognized as the consequence of excessive neuronal excitability. Endocannabinoid system, the critical regulator of synaptic inhibition in brain, was supposed to be closely involved in epilepsy. Cannabinoid receptors mostly locate on presynaptic terminals of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, but with characteristic distribution varying in different brain areas and synapses. Endocannabinoids are synthesized in postsynaptic neurons and retrogradely act on presynaptic cannabinoid receptors. Accumulating evidence suggest that the expression of cannabinoid receptors and synthesis or breakdown of endocannabinoids were cell-type specifically altered and spatiotemporally regulated in seizures, and intervention of the expression of cannabinoid receptors or the level of endocannabinoids could affect seizure actions. Further in clinic, cannabidiol as an add-on treatment could reduce seizures in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear and independent of the endocannabinoid system. Therefore, we review recent advances from bench to bedside, to address the cannabinoid control on seizures, discuss the existing confusion in current studies and provide directions for further research, which may be clinically important for the design of cannabinoid-based precise therapeutic interventions for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Xue
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, No. 308, Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, China; School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, No. 308, Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, No. 308, Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, No. 308, Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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19
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Fernández-Ruiz J, Galve-Roperh I, Sagredo O, Guzmán M. Possible therapeutic applications of cannabis in the neuropsychopharmacology field. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 36:217-234. [PMID: 32057592 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use induces a plethora of actions on the CNS via its active chemical ingredients, the so-called phytocannabinoids. These compounds have been frequently associated with the intoxicating properties of cannabis preparations. However, not all phytocannabinoids are psychotropic, and, irrespective of whether they are psychotropic or not, they have also shown numerous therapeutic properties. These properties are mostly associated with their ability to modulate the activity of an intercellular communication system, the so-called endocannabinoid system, which is highly active in the CNS and has been found altered in many neurological disorders. Specifically, this includes the neuropsychopharmacology field, with diseases such as schizophrenia and related psychoses, anxiety-related disorders, mood disorders, addiction, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa and other feeding-related disorders, dementia, epileptic syndromes, as well as autism, fragile X syndrome and other neurodevelopment-related disorders. Here, we gather, from a pharmacological and biochemical standpoint, the recent advances in the study of the therapeutic relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the CNS, with especial emphasis on the neuropsychopharmacology field. We also illustrate the efforts that are currently being made to investigate at the clinical level the potential therapeutic benefits derived from elevating or inhibiting endocannabinoid signaling in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Onintza Sagredo
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Reddy V, Grogan D, Ahluwalia M, Salles ÉL, Ahluwalia P, Khodadadi H, Alverson K, Nguyen A, Raju SP, Gaur P, Braun M, Vale FL, Costigliola V, Dhandapani K, Baban B, Vaibhav K. Targeting the endocannabinoid system: a predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine-directed approach to the management of brain pathologies. EPMA J 2020; 11:217-250. [PMID: 32549916 PMCID: PMC7272537 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-020-00203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis-inspired medical products are garnering increasing attention from the scientific community, general public, and health policy makers. A plethora of scientific literature demonstrates intricate engagement of the endocannabinoid system with human immunology, psychology, developmental processes, neuronal plasticity, signal transduction, and metabolic regulation. Despite the therapeutic potential, the adverse psychoactive effects and historical stigma, cannabinoids have limited widespread clinical application. Therefore, it is plausible to weigh carefully the beneficial effects of cannabinoids against the potential adverse impacts for every individual. This is where the concept of "personalized medicine" as a promising approach for disease prediction and prevention may take into the account. The goal of this review is to provide an outline of the endocannabinoid system, including endocannabinoid metabolizing pathways, and will progress to a more in-depth discussion of the therapeutic interventions by endocannabinoids in various neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vamsi Reddy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Dayton Grogan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Meenakshi Ahluwalia
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Évila Lopes Salles
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Pankaj Ahluwalia
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Hesam Khodadadi
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Katelyn Alverson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Andy Nguyen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Srikrishnan P. Raju
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
- Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | - Pankaj Gaur
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Molly Braun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA
- VISN 20 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, USA
| | - Fernando L. Vale
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | | | - Krishnan Dhandapani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Babak Baban
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Kumar Vaibhav
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
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21
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Wyatt RM, Fraser I, Welty N, Lord B, Wennerholm M, Sutton S, Ameriks MK, Dugovic C, Yun S, White A, Nguyen L, Koudriakova T, Tian G, Suarez J, Szewczuk L, Bonnette W, Ahn K, Ghosh B, Flores CM, Connolly PJ, Zhu B, Macielag MJ, Brandt MR, Chevalier K, Zhang SP, Lovenberg T, Bonaventure P. Pharmacologic Characterization of JNJ-42226314, [1-(4-Fluorophenyl)indol-5-yl]-[3-[4-(thiazole-2-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]azetidin-1-yl]methanone, a Reversible, Selective, and Potent Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 372:339-353. [PMID: 31818916 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.262139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine hydrolase monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) into arachidonic acid and glycerol. Inhibition of 2-AG degradation leads to elevation of 2-AG, the most abundant endogenous agonist of the cannabinoid receptors (CBs) CB1 and CB2. Activation of these receptors has demonstrated beneficial effects on mood, appetite, pain, and inflammation. Therefore, MAGL inhibitors have the potential to produce therapeutic effects in a vast array of complex human diseases. The present report describes the pharmacologic characterization of [1-(4-fluorophenyl)indol-5-yl]-[3-[4-(thiazole-2-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]azetidin-1-yl]methanone (JNJ-42226314), a reversible and highly selective MAGL inhibitor. JNJ-42226314 inhibits MAGL in a competitive mode with respect to the 2-AG substrate. In rodent brain, the compound time- and dose-dependently bound to MAGL, indirectly led to CB1 occupancy by raising 2-AG levels, and raised norepinephrine levels in cortex. In vivo, the compound exhibited antinociceptive efficacy in both the rat complete Freund's adjuvant-induced radiant heat hypersensitivity and chronic constriction injury-induced cold hypersensitivity models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, respectively. Though 30 mg/kg induced hippocampal synaptic depression, altered sleep onset, and decreased electroencephalogram gamma power, 3 mg/kg still provided approximately 80% enzyme occupancy, significantly increased 2-AG and norepinephrine levels, and produced neuropathic antinociception without synaptic depression or decreased gamma power. Thus, it is anticipated that the profile exhibited by this compound will allow for precise modulation of 2-AG levels in vivo, supporting potential therapeutic application in several central nervous system disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Potentiation of endocannabinoid signaling activity via inhibition of the serine hydrolase monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is an appealing strategy in the development of treatments for several disorders, including ones related to mood, pain, and inflammation. [1-(4-Fluorophenyl)indol-5-yl]-[3-[4-(thiazole-2-carbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]azetidin-1-yl]methanone is presented in this report to be a novel, potent, selective, and reversible noncovalent MAGL inhibitor that demonstrates dose-dependent enhancement of the major endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol as well as efficacy in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Wyatt
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Ian Fraser
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Natalie Welty
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Brian Lord
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | - Steven Sutton
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Sujin Yun
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Allison White
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Leslie Nguyen
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | - Gaochao Tian
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Javier Suarez
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Kay Ahn
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | - Brahma Ghosh
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Bin Zhu
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | - Sui-Po Zhang
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California
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22
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Grimsey NL, Savinainen JR, Attili B, Ahamed M. Regulating membrane lipid levels at the synapse by small-molecule inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase: new developments in therapeutic and PET imaging applications. Drug Discov Today 2019; 25:330-343. [PMID: 31622747 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a major endocannabinoid hydrolyzing enzyme and can be regulated to control endogenous lipid levels in the brain. This review highlights the pharmacological roles and in vivo PET imaging of MAGL in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L Grimsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Juha R Savinainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - Bala Attili
- Department of Radiology, The University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Muneer Ahamed
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Australia.
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23
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Wu MM, Zhang X, Asher MJ, Thayer SA. Druggable targets of the endocannabinoid system: Implications for the treatment of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. Brain Res 2019; 1724:146467. [PMID: 31539547 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) affects nearly half of all HIV-infected individuals. Synaptodendritic damage correlates with neurocognitive decline in HAND, and many studies have demonstrated that HIV-induced neuronal injury results from excitotoxic and inflammatory mechanisms. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system provides on-demand protection against excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Here, we discuss evidence of the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of the eCB system from in vitro and in vivo studies. We examine the pharmacology of the eCB system and evaluate the therapeutic potential of drugs that modulate eCB signaling to treat HAND. Finally, we provide perspective on the need for additional studies to clarify the role of the eCB system in HIV neurotoxicity and speculate that strategies that enhance eCB signaling might slow cognitive decline in HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah M Wu
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Melissa J Asher
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Stanley A Thayer
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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24
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Rodrigues RS, Lourenço DM, Paulo SL, Mateus JM, Ferreira MF, Mouro FM, Moreira JB, Ribeiro FF, Sebastião AM, Xapelli S. Cannabinoid Actions on Neural Stem Cells: Implications for Pathophysiology. Molecules 2019; 24:E1350. [PMID: 30959794 PMCID: PMC6480122 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increase of life expectancy, neurodegenerative disorders are becoming not only a health but also a social burden worldwide. However, due to the multitude of pathophysiological disease states, current treatments fail to meet the desired outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for new therapeutic strategies focusing on more integrated, personalized and effective approaches. The prospect of using neural stem cells (NSC) as regenerative therapies is very promising, however several issues still need to be addressed. In particular, the potential actions of pharmacological agents used to modulate NSC activity are highly relevant. With the ongoing discussion of cannabinoid usage for medical purposes and reports drawing attention to the effects of cannabinoids on NSC regulation, there is an enormous, and yet, uncovered potential for cannabinoids as treatment options for several neurological disorders, specifically when combined with stem cell therapy. In this manuscript, we review in detail how cannabinoids act as potent regulators of NSC biology and their potential to modulate several neurogenic features in the context of pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui S Rodrigues
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Diogo M Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sara L Paulo
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Joana M Mateus
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Miguel F Ferreira
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Francisco M Mouro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - João B Moreira
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Filipa F Ribeiro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sara Xapelli
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
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25
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Clapper JR, Henry CL, Niphakis MJ, Knize AM, Coppola AR, Simon GM, Ngo N, Herbst RA, Herbst DM, Reed AW, Cisar JS, Weber OD, Viader A, Alexander JP, Cunningham ML, Jones TK, Fraser IP, Grice CA, Ezekowitz RAB, O’Neill GP, Blankman JL. Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition in Human and Rodent Systems Supports Clinical Evaluation of Endocannabinoid Modulators. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 367:494-508. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.252296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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26
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Abstract
Evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies suggest the importance of zinc homeostasis in seizures/epilepsy. Undoubtedly, zinc, via modulation of a variety of targets, is necessary for maintaining the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition, while an imbalance between excitation and inhibition underlies seizures. However, the relationship between zinc signaling and seizures/epilepsy is complex as both extracellular and intracellular zinc may produce either protective or detrimental effects. This review provides an overview of preclinical/behavioral, functional and molecular studies, as well as clinical data on the involvement of zinc in the pathophysiology and treatment of seizures/epilepsy. Furthermore, the potential of targeting elements associated with zinc signaling or homeostasis and zinc levels as a therapeutic strategy for epilepsy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Doboszewska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Młyniec
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Wlaź
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Poleszak
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Gabriel Nowak
- Department of Pharmacobiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland; Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Wlaź
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
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27
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Sugaya Y, Kano M. Control of excessive neural circuit excitability and prevention of epileptic seizures by endocannabinoid signaling. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:2793-2811. [PMID: 29737364 PMCID: PMC11105219 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2834-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Progress in research on endocannabinoid signaling has greatly advanced our understanding of how it controls neural circuit excitability in health and disease. In general, endocannabinoid signaling at excitatory synapses suppresses seizures by inhibiting glutamate release. In contrast, endocannabinoid signaling promotes seizures by inhibiting GABA release at inhibitory synapses. The physiological distribution of endocannabinoid signaling molecules becomes disrupted with the development of epileptic focus in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and in animal models of experimentally induced epilepsy. Augmentation of endocannabinoid signaling can promote the development of epileptic focus at initial stages. However, at later stages, increased endocannabinoid signaling delays it and suppresses spontaneous seizures. Thus, the regulation of endocannabinoid signaling at specific synapses that cause hyperexcitability during particular stages of disease development may be effective for treating epilepsy and epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Sugaya
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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28
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Zareie P, Sadegh M, Palizvan MR, Moradi-Chameh H. Anticonvulsive effects of endocannabinoids; an investigation to determine the role of regulatory components of endocannabinoid metabolism in the Pentylenetetrazol induced tonic- clonic seizures. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:939-948. [PMID: 29504066 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0195-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide are two major endocannabinoids produced, released and eliminated by metabolic pathways. Anticonvulsive effect of 2-AG and CB1 receptor is well-established. Herein, we designed to investigate the anticonvulsive influence of key components of the 2-AG and anandamide metabolism. Tonic-clonic seizures were induced by an injection of Pentylenetetrazol (80 mg/kg, i.p.) in adult male Wistar rats. Delay and duration for the seizure stages were considered for analysis. Monoacylglycerol lipase blocker (JJKK048; 1 mg/kg) or alpha/beta hydroxylase domain 6 blocker (WWL70; 5 mg/kg) were administrated alone or with 2-AG to evaluate the anticonvulsive potential of these enzymes. To determine the CB1 receptor involvement, its blocker (MJ15; 3 mg/kg) was administrated associated with JJKK048 or WWL70. To assess anandamide anticonvulsive effect, anandamide membrane transporter blocker (LY21813240; 2.5 mg/kg) was used alone or associated with MJ15. Also, fatty acid amide hydrolase blocker (URB597; 1 mg/kg; to prevent intracellular anandamide hydrolysis) were used alone or with AMG21629 (transient receptor potential vanilloid; TRPV1 antagonist; 3 mg/kg). All compounds were dissolved in DMSO and injected i.p., before the Pentylenetetrazol. Both JJKK048 and WWL70 revealed anticonvulsive effect. Anticonvulsive effect of JJKK048 but not WWL70 was CB1 receptor dependent. LY2183240 showed CB1 receptor dependent anticonvulsive effect. However, URB597 revealed a TRPV1 dependent proconvulsive effect. It seems extracellular accumulation of 2-AG or anandamide has anticonvulsive effect through the CB1 receptor, while intracellular anandamide accumulation is proconvulsive through TRPV1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Zareie
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sadegh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Palizvan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Homeira Moradi-Chameh
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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29
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Enhanced endocannabinoid tone as a potential target of pharmacotherapy. Life Sci 2018; 204:20-45. [PMID: 29729263 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is up-regulated in numerous pathophysiological states such as inflammatory, neurodegenerative, gastrointestinal, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, pain, and cancer. It has been suggested that this phenomenon primarily serves an autoprotective role in inhibiting disease progression and/or diminishing signs and symptoms. Accordingly, enhancement of endogenous endocannabinoid tone by inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of many diseases. Importantly, this allows for the avoidance of unwanted psychotropic side effects that accompany exogenously administered cannabinoids. The effects of endocannabinoid metabolic pathway modulation are complex, as endocannabinoids can exert their actions directly or via numerous metabolites. The two main strategies for blocking endocannabinoid degradation are inhibition of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes and inhibition of endocannabinoid cellular uptake. To date, the most investigated compounds are inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme that degrades the endocannabinoid anandamide. However, application of FAAH inhibitors (and consequently other endocannabinoid degradation inhibitors) in medicine became questionable due to a lack of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials and serious adverse effects evoked by one specific compound. In this paper, we discuss multiple pathways of endocannabinoid metabolism, changes in endocannabinoid levels across numerous human diseases and corresponding experimental models, pharmacological strategies for enhancing endocannabinoid tone and potential therapeutic applications including multi-target drugs with additional targets outside of the endocannabinoid system (cyclooxygenase-2, cholinesterase, TRPV1, and PGF2α-EA receptors), and currently used medicines or medicinal herbs that additionally enhance endocannabinoid levels. Ultimately, further clinical and preclinical studies are warranted to develop medicines for enhancing endocannabinoid tone.
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30
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Cleeren E, Casteels C, Goffin K, Koole M, Van Laere K, Janssen P, Van Paesschen W. Positron emission tomography imaging of cerebral glucose metabolism and type 1 cannabinoid receptor availability during temporal lobe epileptogenesis in the amygdala kindling model in rhesus monkeys. Epilepsia 2018; 59:959-970. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.14059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Evy Cleeren
- Laboratory for Neuro‐ and Psychophysiology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Laboratory for Epilepsy Research KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Cindy Casteels
- Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Department of Imaging and Pathology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC) KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Karolien Goffin
- Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Department of Imaging and Pathology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC) KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Michel Koole
- Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Department of Imaging and Pathology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC) KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Department of Imaging and Pathology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC) KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Peter Janssen
- Laboratory for Neuro‐ and Psychophysiology KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
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31
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Terrone G, Pauletti A, Salamone A, Rizzi M, Villa BR, Porcu L, Sheehan MJ, Guilmette E, Butler CR, Piro JR, Samad TA, Vezzani A. Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase terminates diazepam-resistant status epilepticus in mice and its effects are potentiated by a ketogenic diet. Epilepsia 2017; 59:79-91. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.13950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Terrone
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
| | - Alberto Pauletti
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
| | - Alessia Salamone
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
| | - Massimo Rizzi
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
| | - Bianca R. Villa
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
| | - Luca Porcu
- Department of Oncology; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
| | - Mark J. Sheehan
- Internal Medicine Research Unit; Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development; Cambridge MA USA
| | - Edward Guilmette
- Internal Medicine Research Unit; Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development; Cambridge MA USA
| | | | - Justin R. Piro
- Internal Medicine Research Unit; Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development; Cambridge MA USA
| | - Tarek A. Samad
- Internal Medicine Research Unit; Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development; Cambridge MA USA
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milano Italy
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32
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Granchi C, Caligiuri I, Minutolo F, Rizzolio F, Tuccinardi T. A patent review of Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL) inhibitors (2013-2017). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2017; 27:1341-1351. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2018.1389899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabella Caligiuri
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology and Translational Research, National Cancer Institute and Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | | | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Science and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari Università di Venezia, Venezia-Mestre, Italy
| | - Tiziano Tuccinardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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33
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Aronica E, Bauer S, Bozzi Y, Caleo M, Dingledine R, Gorter JA, Henshall DC, Kaufer D, Koh S, Löscher W, Louboutin JP, Mishto M, Norwood BA, Palma E, Poulter MO, Terrone G, Vezzani A, Kaminski RM. Neuroinflammatory targets and treatments for epilepsy validated in experimental models. Epilepsia 2017; 58 Suppl 3:27-38. [PMID: 28675563 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A large body of evidence that has accumulated over the past decade strongly supports the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of human epilepsy. Specific inflammatory molecules and pathways have been identified that influence various pathologic outcomes in different experimental models of epilepsy. Most importantly, the same inflammatory pathways have also been found in surgically resected brain tissue from patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. New antiseizure therapies may be derived from these novel potential targets. An essential and crucial question is whether targeting these molecules and pathways may result in anti-ictogenesis, antiepileptogenesis, and/or disease-modification effects. Therefore, preclinical testing in models mimicking relevant aspects of epileptogenesis is needed to guide integrated experimental and clinical trial designs. We discuss the most recent preclinical proof-of-concept studies validating a number of therapeutic approaches against inflammatory mechanisms in animal models that could represent novel avenues for drug development in epilepsy. Finally, we suggest future directions to accelerate preclinical to clinical translation of these recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,SEIN-Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Matteo Caleo
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Raymond Dingledine
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A
| | - Jan A Gorter
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David C Henshall
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela Kaufer
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, U.S.A
| | - Sookyong Koh
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Louboutin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.,Gene Therapy Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Michele Mishto
- Charite University Medicine Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Braxton A Norwood
- Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.,Neuroscience Division, Expesicor LLC, Kalispell, Montana, U.S.A
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael O Poulter
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gaetano Terrone
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
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34
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Rosenberg EC, Patra PH, Whalley BJ. Therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in animal models of seizures, epilepsy, epileptogenesis, and epilepsy-related neuroprotection. Epilepsy Behav 2017; 70:319-327. [PMID: 28190698 PMCID: PMC5651410 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The isolation and identification of the discrete plant cannabinoids in marijuana revived interest in analyzing historical therapeutic claims made for cannabis in clinical case studies and anecdotes. In particular, sources as old as the 11th and 15th centuries claimed efficacy for crude marijuana extracts in the treatment of convulsive disorders, prompting a particularly active area of preclinical research into the therapeutic potential of plant cannabinoids in epilepsy. Since that time, a large body of literature has accumulated describing the effects of several of the >100 individual plant cannabinoids in preclinical models of seizures, epilepsy, epileptogenesis, and epilepsy-related neuroprotection. We surveyed the literature for relevant reports of such plant cannabinoid effects and critically reviewed their findings. We found that acute CB1R agonism in simple models of acute seizures in rodents typically produces anti-convulsant effects whereas CB1R antagonists exert converse effects in the same models. However, when the effects of such ligands are examined in more complex models of epilepsy, epileptogenesis and neuroprotection, a less simplistic narrative emerges. Here, the complex interactions between (i) brain regions involved in a given model, (ii) relative contributions of endocannabinoid signaling to modulation of synaptic transmission in such areas, (iii) multi-target effects, (iv) cannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptor signaling interactions and, (v) timing, (vi) duration and (vii) localization of ligand administration suggest that there is both anti-epileptic therapeutic potential and a pro-epileptic risk in up- and down-regulation of endocannabinoid signaling in the central nervous system. Factors such receptor desensitization and specific pharmacology of ligands used (e.g. full vs partial agonists and neutral antagonists vs inverse agonists) also appear to play an important role in the effects reported. Furthermore, the effects of several plant cannabinoids, most notably cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidavarin (CBDV), in models of seizures, epilepsy, epileptogenesis, and neuroprotection are less ambiguous, and consistent with reports of therapeutically beneficial effects of these compounds in clinical studies. However, continued paucity of firm information regarding the therapeutic molecular mechanism of CBD/CBDV highlights the continued need for research in this area in order to identify as yet under-exploited targets for drug development and raise our understanding of treatment-resistant epilepsies. The recent reporting of positive results for cannabidiol treatment in two Phase III clinical trials in treatment-resistant epilepsies provides pivotal evidence of clinical efficacy for one plant cannabinoid in epilepsy. Moreover, risks and/or benefits associated with the use of unlicensed Δ9-THC containing marijuana extracts in pediatric epilepsies remain poorly understood. Therefore, in light of these paradigm-changing clinical events, the present review's findings aim to drive future drug development for newly-identified targets and indications, identify important limitations of animal models in the investigation of plant cannabinoid effects in the epilepsies, and focuses future research in this area on specific, unanswered questions regarding the complexities of endocannabinoid signaling in epilepsy. This article is part of a Special Issue titled Cannabinoids and Epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C. Rosenberg
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Pabitra H. Patra
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, Food & Nutritional Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AP, UK
| | - Benjamin J. Whalley
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, Food & Nutritional Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AP, UK,Corresponding author: (B.J. Whalley)
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35
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Sugaya Y, Yamazaki M, Uchigashima M, Kobayashi K, Watanabe M, Sakimura K, Kano M. Crucial Roles of the Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in the Suppression of Epileptic Seizures. Cell Rep 2016; 16:1405-1415. [PMID: 27452464 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.06.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoid signaling is considered to suppress excessive excitability of neural circuits and to protect the brain from seizures. However, the precise mechanisms of this effect are poorly understood. Here, we report that 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), one of the two major endocannabinoids, is crucial for suppressing seizures. We found that kainate-induced seizures in mice lacking the 2-AG synthesizing enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase α, were much more severe compared with those in cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice and were comparable to those in mice lacking both CB1- and CB2-receptor-mediated signaling. In the dentate gyrus, 2-AG suppressed excitatory input around the inner and middle molecular layers through CB1 and presumably CB2 receptors, respectively. This 2-AG-mediated suppression contributed to decreased granule cell excitability and the dampening of seizures. Furthermore, lack of 2-AG signaling enhanced kindling epileptogenesis and spontaneous seizures after kainate-induced status epilepticus. These results highlight critical roles of 2-AG signaling in the suppression of epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Sugaya
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maya Yamazaki
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Section of Viral Vector Development, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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Olmo IG, Ferreira-Vieira TH, Ribeiro FM. Dissecting the Signaling Pathways Involved in the Crosstalk between Metabotropic Glutamate 5 and Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 90:609-619. [PMID: 27338080 DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.104372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor and the cannabinoid type 1 receptor are G protein-coupled receptors that are widely expressed in the central nervous system. Metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors, present at the postsynaptic site, are coupled to Gαq/11 proteins and display an excitatory response upon activation, whereas the cannabinoid type 1 receptor, mainly present at presynaptic terminals, is coupled to the Gi/o protein and triggers an inhibitory response. Recent studies suggest that the glutamatergic and endocannabinoid systems exhibit a functional interaction to modulate several neural processes. In this review, we discuss possible mechanisms involved in this crosstalk and its relationship with physiologic and pathologic conditions, including nociception, addiction, and fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella G Olmo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Talita H Ferreira-Vieira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabiola M Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Plasticity of Hippocampal Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance: Missing the Synaptic Control in the Epileptic Brain. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8607038. [PMID: 27006834 PMCID: PMC4783563 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8607038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is the capacity generated by experience to modify the neural function and, thereby, adapt our behaviour. Long-term plasticity of glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission occurs in a concerted manner, finely adjusting the excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) balance. Imbalances of E/I function are related to several neurological diseases including epilepsy. Several evidences have demonstrated that astrocytes are able to control the synaptic plasticity, with astrocytes being active partners in synaptic physiology and E/I balance. Here, we revise molecular evidences showing the epileptic stage as an abnormal form of long-term brain plasticity and propose the possible participation of astrocytes to the abnormal increase of glutamatergic and decrease of GABAergic neurotransmission in epileptic networks.
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Guggenhuber S, Romo-Parra H, Bindila L, Leschik J, Lomazzo E, Remmers F, Zimmermann T, Lerner R, Klugmann M, Pape HC, Lutz B. Impaired 2-AG Signaling in Hippocampal Glutamatergic Neurons: Aggravation of Anxiety-Like Behavior and Unaltered Seizure Susceptibility. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 19:pyv091. [PMID: 26232789 PMCID: PMC4772822 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postsynaptically generated 2-arachidonoylglycerol activates the presynaptic cannabinoid type-1 receptor, which is involved in synaptic plasticity at both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. However, the differential function of 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling at glutamatergic vs GABAergic synapses in the context of animal behavior has not been investigated yet. METHODS Here, we analyzed the role of 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling selectively in hippocampal glutamatergic neurons. Monoacylglycerol lipase, the primary degrading enzyme of 2-arachidonoylglycerol, is expressed at presynaptic sites of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. By adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of monoacylglycerol lipase in glutamatergic neurons of the mouse hippocampus, we selectively interfered with 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling at glutamatergic synapses of these neurons. RESULTS Genetic modification of monoacylglycerol lipase resulted in a 50% decrease in 2-arachidonoylglycerol tissue levels without affecting the content of the second major endocannabinoid anandamide. A typical electrophysiological read-out for 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling is the depolarization-induced suppression of excitation and of inhibition. Elevated monoacylglycerol lipase levels at glutamatergic terminals selectively impaired depolarization-induced suppression of excitation, while depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition was not significantly changed. At the behavioral level, mice with impaired hippocampal glutamatergic 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior but showed no alterations in aversive memory formation and seizure susceptibility. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that 2-arachidonoylglycerol signaling selectively in hippocampal glutamatergic neurons is essential for the animal's adaptation to aversive situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany (Dr Guggenhuber, Dr Bindila, Dr Leschik, Dr Lomazzo, Dr Remmers, Ms Zimmermann, Ms Lerner, Dr Klugmann, and Dr Lutz); Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfaelische Wilhelms-University, Muenster, Germany (Drs Romo-Parra and Pape); Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Kensington Campus, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Dr Klugmann).
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Abstract
The antiepileptic potential of Cannabis sativa preparations has been historically recognized. Recent changes in legal restrictions and new well-documented cases reporting remarkably strong beneficial effects have triggered an upsurge in exploiting medical marijuana in patients with refractory epilepsy. Parallel research efforts in the last decade have uncovered the fundamental role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in controlling neuronal network excitability raising hopes for cannabinoid-based therapeutic approaches. However, emerging data show that patient responsiveness varies substantially, and that cannabis administration may sometimes even exacerbate seizures. Qualitative and quantitative chemical variability in cannabis products and personal differences in the etiology of seizures, or in the pathological reorganization of epileptic networks, can all contribute to divergent patient responses. Thus, the consensus view in the neurologist community is that drugs modifying the activity of the endocannabinoid system should first be tested in clinical trials to establish efficacy, safety, dosing, and proper indication in specific forms of epilepsies. To support translation from anecdote-based practice to evidence-based therapy, the present review first introduces current preclinical and clinical efforts for cannabinoid- or endocannabinoid-based epilepsy treatments. Next, recent advances in our knowledge of how endocannabinoid signaling limits abnormal network activity as a central component of the synaptic circuit-breaker system will be reviewed to provide a framework for the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of the beneficial and adverse effects. Finally, accumulating evidence demonstrating robust synapse-specific pathophysiological plasticity of endocannabinoid signaling in epileptic networks will be summarized to gain better understanding of how and when pharmacological interventions may have therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Katona
- Momentum Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szigony u. 43, Budapest, 1083, Hungary.
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