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Sun T, Zhen T, Harakandi CH, Wang L, Guo H, Chen Y, Sun H. New insights into butyrylcholinesterase: Pharmaceutical applications, selective inhibitors and multitarget-directed ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 275:116569. [PMID: 38852337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), also known as pseudocholinesterase and serum cholinesterase, is an isoenzyme of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It mediates the degradation of acetylcholine, especially under pathological conditions. Proverbial pharmacological applications of BChE, its mutants and modulators consist of combating Alzheimer's disease (AD), influencing multiple sclerosis (MS), addressing cocaine addiction, detoxifying organophosphorus poisoning and reflecting the progression or prognosis of some diseases. Of interest, recent reports have shed light on the relationship between BChE and lipid metabolism. It has also been proved that BChE is going to increase abnormally as a compensator for AChE in the middle and late stages of AD, and BChE inhibitors can alleviate cognitive disorders and positively influence some pathological features in AD model animals, foreboding favorable prospects and potential applications. Herein, the selective BChE inhibitors and BChE-related multitarget-directed ligands published in the last three years were briefly summarized, along with the currently known pharmacological applications of BChE, aiming to grasp the latest research directions. Thereinto, some emerging strategies for designing BChE inhibitors are intriguing, and the modulators based on target combination of histone deacetylase and BChE against AD is unprecedented. Furthermore, the involvement of BChE in the hydrolysis of ghrelin, the inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake, and the down-regulation of LDL receptor (LDLR) expression suggests its potential to influence lipid metabolism disorders. This compelling prospect likely stimulates further exploration in this promising research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengfei Zhen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanchao Guo
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
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Kumar D, Khan B, Okcay Y, Sis ÇÖ, Abdallah A, Murray F, Sharma A, Uemura M, Taliyan R, Heinbockel T, Rahman S, Goyal R. Dynamic endocannabinoid-mediated neuromodulation of retinal circadian circuitry. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102401. [PMID: 38964508 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms that originate from the "master circadian clock," called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). SCN orchestrates the circadian rhythms using light as a chief zeitgeber, enabling humans to synchronize their daily physio-behavioral activities with the Earth's light-dark cycle. However, chronic/ irregular photic disturbances from the retina via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT) can disrupt the amplitude and the expression of clock genes, such as the period circadian clock 2, causing circadian rhythm disruption (CRd) and associated neuropathologies. The present review discusses neuromodulation across the RHT originating from retinal photic inputs and modulation offered by endocannabinoids as a function of mitigation of the CRd and associated neuro-dysfunction. Literature indicates that cannabinoid agonists alleviate the SCN's ability to get entrained to light by modulating the activity of its chief neurotransmitter, i.e., γ-aminobutyric acid, thus preventing light-induced disruption of activity rhythms in laboratory animals. In the retina, endocannabinoid signaling modulates the overall gain of the retinal ganglion cells by regulating the membrane currents (Ca2+, K+, and Cl- channels) and glutamatergic neurotransmission of photoreceptors and bipolar cells. Additionally, endocannabinoids signalling also regulate the high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels to mitigate the retinal ganglion cells and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells-mediated glutamate release in the SCN, thus regulating the RHT-mediated light stimulation of SCN neurons to prevent excitotoxicity. As per the literature, cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 are becoming newer targets in drug discovery paradigms, and the involvement of endocannabinoids in light-induced CRd through the RHT may possibly mitigate severe neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar
- Department of Neuropharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, HP 173229, India.
| | - Bareera Khan
- Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, HP 173229, India
| | - Yagmur Okcay
- University of Health Sciences Gulhane Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacology, Turkey.
| | - Çağıl Önal Sis
- University of Health Sciences Gulhane Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacology, Turkey.
| | - Aya Abdallah
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.
| | - Fiona Murray
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.
| | - Ashish Sharma
- School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Maiko Uemura
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Rajeev Taliyan
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology Science, Pilani, Rajasthan 333301, India.
| | - Thomas Heinbockel
- Howard University College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.
| | - Rohit Goyal
- Department of Neuropharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, HP 173229, India.
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Stanciu GD, Ababei DC, Solcan C, Uritu CM, Craciun VC, Pricope CV, Szilagyi A, Tamba BI. Exploring Cannabinoids with Enhanced Binding Affinity for Targeting the Expanded Endocannabinoid System: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:530. [PMID: 38675490 PMCID: PMC11053678 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of rigorous research and numerous clinical trials, Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as a notable healthcare challenge of this century, with effective therapeutic solutions remaining elusive. Recently, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as an essential therapeutic target due to its regulatory role in different physiological processes, such as neuroprotection, modulation of inflammation, and synaptic plasticity. This aligns with previous research showing that cannabinoid receptor ligands have the potential to trigger the functional structure of neuronal and brain networks, potentially impacting memory processing. Therefore, our study aims to assess the effects of prolonged, intermittent exposure (over 90 days) to JWH-133 (0.2 mg/kg) and an EU-GMP certified Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabixir® Medium Flos, 2.5 mg/kg) on recognition memory, as well as their influence on brain metabolism and modulation of the expanded endocannabinoid system in APP/PS1 mice. Chronic therapy with cannabinoid receptor ligands resulted in reduced anxiety-like behavior and partially reversed the cognitive deficits. Additionally, a reduction was observed in both the number and size of Aβ plaque deposits, along with decreased cerebral glucose metabolism, as well as a decline in the expression of mTOR and CB2 receptors. Furthermore, the study revealed enlarged astrocytes and enhanced expression of M1 mAChR in mice subjected to cannabinoid treatment. Our findings highlight the pivotal involvement of the extended endocannabinoid system in cognitive decline and pathological aspects associated with AD, presenting essential preclinical evidence to support the continued exploration and assessment of cannabinoid receptor ligands for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Dumitrita Stanciu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu”—CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (G.D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Daniela-Carmen Ababei
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu”—CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (G.D.S.); (A.S.)
- Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carmen Solcan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Cristina-Mariana Uritu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu”—CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (G.D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Vlad-Constantin Craciun
- Department of Computer Science, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Cosmin-Vasilica Pricope
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu”—CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (G.D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrei Szilagyi
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu”—CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (G.D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Bogdan-Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu”—CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (G.D.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Voicu V, Brehar FM, Toader C, Covache-Busuioc RA, Corlatescu AD, Bordeianu A, Costin HP, Bratu BG, Glavan LA, Ciurea AV. Cannabinoids in Medicine: A Multifaceted Exploration of Types, Therapeutic Applications, and Emerging Opportunities in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer Therapy. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1388. [PMID: 37759788 PMCID: PMC10526757 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review article, we embark on a thorough exploration of cannabinoids, compounds that have garnered considerable attention for their potential therapeutic applications. Initially, this article delves into the fundamental background of cannabinoids, emphasizing the role of endogenous cannabinoids in the human body and outlining their significance in studying neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Building on this foundation, this article categorizes cannabinoids into three main types: phytocannabinoids (plant-derived cannabinoids), endocannabinoids (naturally occurring in the body), and synthetic cannabinoids (laboratory-produced cannabinoids). The intricate mechanisms through which these compounds interact with cannabinoid receptors and signaling pathways are elucidated. A comprehensive overview of cannabinoid pharmacology follows, highlighting their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, as well as their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Special emphasis is placed on the role of cannabinoids in neurodegenerative diseases, showcasing their potential benefits in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. The potential antitumor properties of cannabinoids are also investigated, exploring their potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment and the mechanisms underlying their anticancer effects. Clinical aspects are thoroughly discussed, from the viability of cannabinoids as therapeutic agents to current clinical trials, safety considerations, and the adverse effects observed. This review culminates in a discussion of promising future research avenues and the broader implications for cannabinoid-based therapies, concluding with a reflection on the immense potential of cannabinoids in modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Voicu
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Psychopharmacology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- Medical Section within the Romanian Academy, 010071 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Felix-Mircea Brehar
- Neurosurgery Department, Emergency Clinical Hospital Bagdasar-Arseni, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Corneliu Toader
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
- Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan-Adrian Covache-Busuioc
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Antonio Daniel Corlatescu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Andrei Bordeianu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Bogdan-Gabriel Bratu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Luca-Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (A.D.C.); (A.B.); (H.P.C.); (B.-G.B.); (L.-A.G.); (A.V.C.)
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
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5
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Grabon W, Rheims S, Smith J, Bodennec J, Belmeguenai A, Bezin L. CB2 receptor in the CNS: from immune and neuronal modulation to behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105226. [PMID: 37164044 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105226] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite low levels of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) expression in the central nervous system in human and rodents, a growing body of evidence shows CB2R involvement in many processes at the behavioral level, through both immune and neuronal modulations. Recent in vitro and in vivo evidence have highlighted the complex role of CB2R under physiological and inflammatory conditions. Under neuroinflammatory states, its activation seems to protect the brain and its functions, making it a promising target in a wide range of neurological disorders. Here, we provide a complete and updated overview of CB2R function in the central nervous system of rodents, spanning from modulation of immune function in microglia but also in other cell types, to behavior and neuronal activity, in both physiological and neuroinflammatory contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Grabon
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, U10208 UMR5292, TIGER Team - F-69500 Bron, France; Epilepsy Institute IDEE, 59 boulevard Pinel - F-69500 Bron, France.
| | - Sylvain Rheims
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, U10208 UMR5292, TIGER Team - F-69500 Bron, France; Epilepsy Institute IDEE, 59 boulevard Pinel - F-69500 Bron, France; Department of Functional Neurology and Epileptology, Hospices Civils de Lyon - France
| | - Jonathon Smith
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, U10208 UMR5292, TIGER Team - F-69500 Bron, France; Epilepsy Institute IDEE, 59 boulevard Pinel - F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Jacques Bodennec
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, U10208 UMR5292, TIGER Team - F-69500 Bron, France; Epilepsy Institute IDEE, 59 boulevard Pinel - F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Amor Belmeguenai
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, U10208 UMR5292, TIGER Team - F-69500 Bron, France; Epilepsy Institute IDEE, 59 boulevard Pinel - F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Laurent Bezin
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, U10208 UMR5292, TIGER Team - F-69500 Bron, France.
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Bernal‐Chico A, Tepavcevic V, Manterola A, Utrilla C, Matute C, Mato S. Endocannabinoid signaling in brain diseases: Emerging relevance of glial cells. Glia 2023; 71:103-126. [PMID: 35353392 PMCID: PMC9790551 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of cannabinoid receptors as the primary molecular targets of psychotropic cannabinoid Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 -THC) in late 1980s paved the way for investigations on the effects of cannabis-based therapeutics in brain pathology. Ever since, a wealth of results obtained from studies on human tissue samples and animal models have highlighted a promising therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids in a variety of neurological disorders. However, clinical success has been limited and major questions concerning endocannabinoid signaling need to be satisfactorily addressed, particularly with regard to their role as modulators of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, recent studies have brought into the limelight diverse, often unexpected functions of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia in brain injury and disease, thus providing scientific basis for targeting glial cells to treat brain disorders. This Review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular and cellular hallmarks of endocannabinoid signaling in glial cells and its clinical relevance in neurodegenerative and chronic inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bernal‐Chico
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of the Basque Country UPV/EHULeioaSpain,Achucarro Basque Center for NeuroscienceLeioaSpain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)MadridSpain,Neuroimmunology UnitBiocruces BizkaiaBarakaldoSpain
| | | | - Andrea Manterola
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of the Basque Country UPV/EHULeioaSpain,Achucarro Basque Center for NeuroscienceLeioaSpain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)MadridSpain,Present address:
Parque Científico y Tecnológico de GuipuzkoaViralgenSan SebastianSpain
| | | | - Carlos Matute
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of the Basque Country UPV/EHULeioaSpain,Achucarro Basque Center for NeuroscienceLeioaSpain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)MadridSpain
| | - Susana Mato
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of the Basque Country UPV/EHULeioaSpain,Achucarro Basque Center for NeuroscienceLeioaSpain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)MadridSpain,Neuroimmunology UnitBiocruces BizkaiaBarakaldoSpain
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Li S, Huang Y, Yu L, Ji X, Wu J. Impact of the Cannabinoid System in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:715-726. [PMID: 35105293 PMCID: PMC10207907 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220201091006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids are compounds isolated from cannabis and are also widely present in both nervous and immune systems of animals. In recent years, with in-depth research on cannabinoids, their clinical medicinal value has been evaluated, and many exciting achievements have been continuously accumulating, especially in the field of neurodegenerative disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia and has become a global health problem that seriously impacts human health today. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. How cannabinoids act on different endocannabinoid receptor subtypes to regulate Alzheimer's disease and the roles of the endocannabinoid system in Alzheimer's disease are outlined, and the underlying mechanisms are discussed. Finally, we summarize the most relevant opportunities of cannabinoid pharmacology related to Alzheimer's disease and discuss the potential usefulness of cannabinoids in the clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangtao Li
- Shantou University Medical College, Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou, #22 Road Xinling, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Yuanbing Huang
- Department of Neurology, Yunfu People’s Hospital, Yunfu, Guangdong 527300, China
| | - Lijun Yu
- Shantou University Medical College, Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou, #22 Road Xinling, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Department of Neurology, Yunfu People’s Hospital, Yunfu, Guangdong 527300, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Shantou University Medical College, Brain Function and Disease Laboratory, Shantou, #22 Road Xinling, Guangdong 515041, China
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Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors in Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies: New Insights and Therapeutic Potential. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123000. [PMID: 36551756 PMCID: PMC9775106 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123000] [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: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, are proteinopathies characterized by the accumulation of specific protein aggregates in the brain. Such misfolded protein aggregates can trigger modulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems and subsequently lead to chronic neuroinflammation that drives the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Since there is still no effective disease-modifying treatment, new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative proteinopathies have been sought. The endocannabinoid system, and in particular the cannabinoid CB2 receptors, have been extensively studied, due to their important role in neuroinflammation, especially in microglial cells. Several studies have shown promising effects of CB2 receptor activation on reducing protein aggregation-based pathology as well as on attenuating inflammation and several dementia-related symptoms. In this review, we discuss the available data on the role of CB2 receptors in neuroinflammation and the potential benefits and limitations of specific agonists of these receptors in the therapy of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Kecheliev V, Spinelli F, Herde A, Haider A, Mu L, Klohs J, Ametamey SM, Ni R. Evaluation of cannabinoid type 2 receptor expression and pyridine-based radiotracers in brains from a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1018610. [PMID: 36248003 PMCID: PMC9561934 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1018610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) is an emerging target for neuroinflammation and therapeutics of Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we aim to assess the alterations in brain CB2R levels and evaluate novel CB2R imaging tracers in the arcAß mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease amyloidosis. Immunohistochemical staining for amyloid-ß deposits (6E10), microgliosis (anti-Iba1 and anti-CD68 antibodies), astrocytes (GFAP) and the anti-CB2R antibody was performed on brain slices from 17-month-old arcAß mice. Autoradiography using the CB2R imaging probes [18F]RoSMA-18-d6, [11C]RSR-056, and [11C]RS-028 and mRNA analysis were performed in brain tissue from arcAß and non-transgenic littermate (NTL) mice at 6, 17, and 24 months of age. Specific increased CB2R immunofluorescence intensities on the increased number of GFAP-positive astrocytes and Iba1-positive microglia were detected in the hippocampus and cortex of 17-month-old arcAß mice compared to NTL mice. CB2R immunofluorescence was higher in glial cells inside 6E10-positive amyloid-ß deposits than peri-plaque glial cells, which showed low background immunofluorescence in the hippocampus and cortex of 17-month-old arcAß mice. Ex vivo autoradiography showed that the specific binding of [18F]RoSMA-18-d6 and [11C]RSR-056 was comparable in arcAß and NTL mice at 6, 17, and 24 months of age. The level of Cnr2 mRNA expression in the brain was not significantly different between arcAß and NTL mice at 6, 17, or 24 months of age. In conclusion, we demonstrated pronounced specific increases in microglial and astroglial CB2R expression levels in a mouse model of AD-related cerebral amyloidosis, emphasizing CB2R as a suitable target for imaging neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasil Kecheliev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Spinelli
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne Herde
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Linjing Mu
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon M. Ametamey
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Simon M. Ametamey,
| | - Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Ruiqing Ni,
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Ishiguro H, Kibret BG, Horiuchi Y, Onaivi ES. Potential Role of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptors in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:828895. [PMID: 35774086 PMCID: PMC9237241 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.828895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of the two canonical receptor subtypes; type-1 cannabinoid (CB1R) and type 2 receptor (CB2R), endocannabinoids (eCBs) and enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of eCBs. Recently, with the identification of additional lipid mediators, enzymes and receptors, the expanded ECS called the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) has been identified and recognized. Activation of CB1R is associated with a plethora of physiological effects and some central nervous system (CNS) side effects, whereas, CB2R activation is devoid of such effects and hence CB2Rs might be utilized as potential new targets for the treatment of different disorders including neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous studies suggested that CB2Rs were absent in the brain and they were considered as peripheral receptors, however, recent studies confirmed the presence of CB2Rs in different brain regions. Several studies have now focused on the characterization of its physiological and pathological roles. Studies done on the role of CB2Rs as a therapeutic target for treating different disorders revealed important putative role of CB2R in neuropsychiatric disorders that requires further clinical validation. Here we provide current insights and knowledge on the potential role of targeting CB2Rs in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Its non-psychoactive effect makes the CB2R a potential target for treating CNS disorders; however, a better understanding of the fundamental pharmacology of CB2R activation is essential for the design of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ishiguro
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Berhanu Geresu Kibret
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, United States
| | - Yasue Horiuchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emmanuel S. Onaivi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, United States
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11
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Ruiz de Martín Esteban S, Benito-Cuesta I, Terradillos I, Martínez-Relimpio AM, Arnanz MA, Ruiz-Pérez G, Korn C, Raposo C, Sarott RC, Westphal MV, Elezgarai I, Carreira EM, Hillard CJ, Grether U, Grandes P, Grande MT, Romero J. Cannabinoid CB 2 Receptors Modulate Microglia Function and Amyloid Dynamics in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:841766. [PMID: 35645832 PMCID: PMC9136843 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.841766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution and roles of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor in the CNS are still a matter of debate. Recent data suggest that, in addition to its presence in microglial cells, the CB2 receptor may be also expressed at low levels, yet biologically relevant, in other cell types such as neurons. It is accepted that the expression of CB2 receptors in the CNS is low under physiological conditions and is significantly elevated in chronic neuroinflammatory states associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. By using a novel mouse model (CB2 EGFP/f/f), we studied the distribution of cannabinoid CB2 receptors in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (by generating 5xFAD/CB2 EGFP/f/f mice) and explored the roles of CB2 receptors in microglial function. We used a novel selective and brain penetrant CB2 receptor agonist (RO6866945) as well as mice lacking the CB2 receptor (5xFAD/CB2 -/-) for these studies. We found that CB2 receptors are expressed in dystrophic neurite-associated microglia and that their modulation modifies the number and activity of microglial cells as well as the metabolism of the insoluble form of the amyloid peptide. These results support microglial CB2 receptors as potential targets for the development of amyloid-modulating therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Benito-Cuesta
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Itziar Terradillos
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Ana M Martínez-Relimpio
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - M Andrea Arnanz
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Ruiz-Pérez
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Claudia Korn
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Catarina Raposo
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roman C Sarott
- Laboratorium Für Organische Chemie, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias V Westphal
- Laboratorium Für Organische Chemie, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Izaskun Elezgarai
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Erick M Carreira
- Laboratorium Für Organische Chemie, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Uwe Grether
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Grandes
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.,Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Science Park of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - M Teresa Grande
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Julián Romero
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
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12
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Kibret BG, Ishiguro H, Horiuchi Y, Onaivi ES. New Insights and Potential Therapeutic Targeting of CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors in CNS Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:975. [PMID: 35055161 PMCID: PMC8778243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is ubiquitous in most human tissues, and involved in the regulation of mental health. Consequently, its dysregulation is associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Together, the ECS and the expanded endocannabinoidome (eCBome) are composed of genes coding for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R, CB2R), endocannabinoids (eCBs), and the metabolic enzyme machinery for their synthesis and catabolism. The activation of CB1R is associated with adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS), which has limited the therapeutic use of drugs that bind this receptor. The discovery of the functional neuronal CB2R raised new possibilities for the potential and safe targeting of the ECS for the treatment of CNS disorders. Previous studies were not able to detect CB2R mRNA transcripts in brain tissue and suggested that CB2Rs were absent in the brain and were considered peripheral receptors. Studies done on the role of CB2Rs as a potential therapeutic target for treating different disorders revealed the important putative role of CB2Rs in certain CNS disorders, which requires further clinical validation. This review addresses recent advances on the role of CB2Rs in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD) and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berhanu Geresu Kibret
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
| | - Hiroki Ishiguro
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Ethics, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan;
| | - Yasue Horiuchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan;
| | - Emmanuel S. Onaivi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
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13
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Morcuende A, García-Gutiérrez MS, Tambaro S, Nieto E, Manzanares J, Femenia T. Immunomodulatory Role of CB2 Receptors in Emotional and Cognitive Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:866052. [PMID: 35492718 PMCID: PMC9051035 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.866052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional behavior, memory, and learning have been associated with alterations in the immune system in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, several studies pointed out the involvement of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2r) in the immune system and the regulation of inflammation. This receptor is widely distributed in different tissues and organs with higher expression in spleen and immune system cells. However, CB2r has also been detected in several brain areas and different brain cell types, such as neurons and glia. These findings suggest that CB2r may closely relate the immune system and the brain circuits regulating inflammation, mood, and cognitive functions. Therefore, we review the studies that may help elucidate the molecular bases of CB2r in regulating inflammation in different brain cells and its role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Morcuende
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Alicante, Spain
| | - María Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Alicante, Spain.,Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud, Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Simone Tambaro
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Alicante, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Alicante, Spain.,Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud, Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Teresa Femenia
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Alicante, Spain.,Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud, Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Long CM, Zheng QX, Zhou Y, Liu YT, Gong LP, Zeng YC, Liu S. N-linoleyltyrosine exerts neuroprotective effects in APP/PS1 transgenic mice via cannabinoid receptor-mediated autophagy. J Pharmacol Sci 2021; 147:315-324. [PMID: 34663513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide (AEA) analogs show fair effects in counteracting the deterioration of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous studies demonstrated that AEA analog-N-linoleyltyrosine (NITyr) exerted significant activities. In our current research, the role and mechanisms of NITyr were assessed in APP/PS1 mice mimicking the AD model. NITyr improved motor coordination in the rotarod test (RRT) and ameliorated spatial memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) but did not increase spontaneous locomotor activity in the open field test (OFT). In addition, NITyr protected neurons against β-amyloid (Aβ) injury via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl staining. Moreover, the related biochemical indexes showed that NITyr reduced the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the hippocampus but did not affect the expression of p-APP and β-secretase 1 (BACE1). Furthermore, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3 MA) attenuated the effect of NITyr on animal behaviors and neurons. Meanwhile, NITyr upregulated the expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1, which were weakened by AM630 (an antagonist of CB2 receptor and a weak partial agonist of CB1 receptors). AM630 also weakened the role of NITyr in animal behaviors. Thus, NITyr improved behavioral impairment and neural loss by inducing autophagy mainly mediated by the CB2 receptor, and weakly mediated by the CB1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Mei Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Study on the Structure-specific Small Molecule Drug in Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-Xue Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Study on the Structure-specific Small Molecule Drug in Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Research and Development Center, Sichuan Yuanda Shuyang Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610214, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Ting Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Study on the Structure-specific Small Molecule Drug in Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu-Ping Gong
- Department of Pharmacy, Study on the Structure-specific Small Molecule Drug in Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Chun Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Study on the Structure-specific Small Molecule Drug in Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Study on the Structure-specific Small Molecule Drug in Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China.
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15
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de Melo Reis RA, Isaac AR, Freitas HR, de Almeida MM, Schuck PF, Ferreira GC, Andrade-da-Costa BLDS, Trevenzoli IH. Quality of Life and a Surveillant Endocannabinoid System. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:747229. [PMID: 34776851 PMCID: PMC8581450 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.747229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important brain modulatory network. ECS regulates brain homeostasis throughout development, from progenitor fate decision to neuro- and gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, brain plasticity and circuit repair, up to learning, memory, fear, protection, and death. It is a major player in the hypothalamic-peripheral system-adipose tissue in the regulation of food intake, energy storage, nutritional status, and adipose tissue mass, consequently affecting obesity. Loss of ECS control might affect mood disorders (anxiety, hyperactivity, psychosis, and depression), lead to drug abuse, and impact neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's, Parkinson, Huntington, Multiple, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and neurodevelopmental (autism spectrum) disorders. Practice of regular physical and/or mind-body mindfulness and meditative activities have been shown to modulate endocannabinoid (eCB) levels, in addition to other players as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). ECS is involved in pain, inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions, general immune responses (asthma, allergy, and arthritis) and tumor expansion, both/either in the brain and/or in the periphery. The reason for such a vast impact is the fact that arachidonic acid, a precursor of eCBs, is present in every membrane cell of the body and on demand eCBs synthesis is regulated by electrical activity and calcium shifts. Novel lipid (lipoxins and resolvins) or peptide (hemopressin) players of the ECS also operate as regulators of physiological allostasis. Indeed, the presence of cannabinoid receptors in intracellular organelles as mitochondria or lysosomes, or in nuclear targets as PPARγ might impact energy consumption, metabolism and cell death. To live a better life implies in a vigilant ECS, through healthy diet selection (based on a balanced omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), weekly exercises and meditation therapy, all of which regulating eCBs levels, surrounded by a constructive social network. Cannabidiol, a diet supplement has been a major player with anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant activities. Cognitive challenges and emotional intelligence might strengthen the ECS, which is built on a variety of synapses that modify human behavior. As therapeutically concerned, the ECS is essential for maintaining homeostasis and cannabinoids are promising tools to control innumerous targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Augusto de Melo Reis
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alinny Rosendo Isaac
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hércules Rezende Freitas
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Macedo de Almeida
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Fernanda Schuck
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Costa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Isis Hara Trevenzoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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16
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Bajaj S, Jain S, Vyas P, Bawa S, Vohora D. The role of endocannabinoid pathway in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease: Can the inhibitors of MAGL and FAAH prove to be potential therapeutic targets against the cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease? Brain Res Bull 2021; 174:305-322. [PMID: 34217798 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive decline of cognitive function in combination with neuronal death. Current approved treatment target single dysregulated pathway instead of multiple mechanism, resulting in lack of efficacy in slowing down disease progression. The proclivity of endocannabinoid system to exert neuroprotective action and mitigate symptoms of neurodegeneration condition has received substantial interest. Growing evidence suggest the endocannabinoids (eCB) system, viz. anadamide (AEA) and arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), as potential therapeutic targets with the ability to modify Alzheimer's pathology by targeting the inflammatory, neurodegenerative and cognitive aspects of the disease. In order to modulate endocannabinoid system, number of agents have been reported amongst which are inhibitors of the monoacylglycerol (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzymes that hydrolyses 2-AG and AEA respectively. However, little is known regarding the exact mechanistic signalling and their effects on pathophysiology and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. Both MAGL and FAAH inhibitors possess fascinating properties that may offer a multi-faceted approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease such as potential to protect neurons from deleterious effect of amyloid-β, reducing phosphorylation of tau, reducing amyloid-β induced oxidative stress, stimulating neurotrophin to support brain intrinsic repair mechanism etc. Based on empirical evidence, MAGL and FAAH inhibitors might have potential for therapeutic efficacy against cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the experimental studies demonstrating the polyvalent properties of MAGL or FAAH inhibitor compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and also effect of these on learning and types of memories, which together encourage to study these compounds over other therapeutics targets. Further research in this direction would enhance the molecular mechanisms and development of applicable interventions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which nevertheless stay as the primary unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivanshu Bajaj
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Shreshta Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Preeti Vyas
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandhya Bawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Divya Vohora
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
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17
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Potential and Limits of Cannabinoids in Alzheimer's Disease Therapy. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060542. [PMID: 34204237 PMCID: PMC8234911 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary This review was aimed at exploring the potentiality of drugging the endocannabinoid system as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent discoveries have demonstrated how the modulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and receptor 2 (CB2) can exert neuroprotective effects without the recreational and pharmacological properties of Cannabis sativa. Thus, this review explores the potential of cannabinoids in AD, also highlighting their limitations in perspective to point out the need for further research on cannabinoids in AD therapy. Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a detrimental brain disorder characterized by a gradual cognitive decline and neuronal deterioration. To date, the treatments available are effective only in the early stage of the disease. The AD etiology has not been completely revealed, and investigating new pathological mechanisms is essential for developing effective and safe drugs. The recreational and pharmacological properties of marijuana are known for centuries, but only recently the scientific community started to investigate the potential use of cannabinoids in AD therapy—sometimes with contradictory outcomes. Since the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is highly expressed in the hippocampus and cortex, cannabis use/abuse has often been associated with memory and learning dysfunction in vulnerable individuals. However, the latest findings in AD rodent models have shown promising effects of cannabinoids in reducing amyloid plaque deposition and stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis. Beneficial effects on several dementia-related symptoms have also been reported in clinical trials after cannabinoid treatments. Accordingly, future studies should address identifying the correct therapeutic dosage and timing of treatment from the perspective of using cannabinoids in AD therapy. The present paper aims to summarize the potential and limitations of cannabinoids as therapeutics for AD, focusing on recent pre-clinical and clinical evidence.
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18
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Galán-Ganga M, Rodríguez-Cueto C, Merchán-Rubira J, Hernández F, Ávila J, Posada-Ayala M, Lanciego JL, Luengo E, Lopez MG, Rábano A, Fernández-Ruiz J, Lastres-Becker I. Cannabinoid receptor CB2 ablation protects against TAU induced neurodegeneration. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:90. [PMID: 34001284 PMCID: PMC8130522 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01196-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the alteration/aggregation of TAU protein, for which there is still no effective treatment. Therefore, new pharmacological targets are being sought, such as elements of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). We analysed the occurrence of changes in the ECS in tauopathies and their implication in the pathogenesis. By integrating gene expression analysis, immunofluorescence, genetic and adeno-associated virus expressing TAU mouse models, we found a TAU-dependent increase in CB2 receptor expression in hippocampal neurons, that occurs as an early event in the pathology and was maintained until late stages. These changes were accompanied by alterations in the endocannabinoid metabolism. Remarkably, CB2 ablation in mice protects from neurodegeneration induced by hTAUP301L overexpression, corroborated at the level of cognitive behaviour, synaptic plasticity, and aggregates of insoluble TAU. At the level of neuroinflammation, the absence of CB2 did not produce significant changes in concordance with a possible neuronal location rather than its classic glial expression in these models. These findings were corroborated in post-mortem samples of patients with Alzheimer's disease, the most common tauopathy. Our results show that neurons with accumulated TAU induce the expression of the CB2 receptor, which enhances neurodegeneration. These results are important for our understanding of disease mechanisms, providing a novel therapeutic strategy to be investigated in tauopathies.
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19
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Labib AY, Ammar RM, El-Naga RN, El-Bahy AAZ, Tadros MG, Michel HE. Mechanistic insights into the protective effect of paracetamol against rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats: Possible role of endocannabinoid system modulation. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 94:107431. [PMID: 33578261 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disabling progressive neurodegenerative disease. So far, PD's treatment remains symptomatic with no curative effects. Aside from its blatant analgesic and antipyretic efficacy, recent studies highlighted the endowed neuroprotective potentials of paracetamol (PCM). To this end: the present study investigated: (1) Possible protective role of PCM against rotenone-induced PD-like neurotoxicity in rats, and (2) the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective actions including cannabinoid receptors' modulation. A dose-response study was conducted using three doses of PCM (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and their effects on body weight changes, spontaneous locomotor activity, rotarod test, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-synuclein expression, and striatal dopamine (DA) content were evaluated. Results revealed that PCM (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.) halted PD motor impairment, prevented rotenone-induced weight loss, restored normal histological tissue structure, reversed rotenone-induced reduction in TH expression and striatal DA content, and markedly decreased midbrain and striatal α-synuclein expression in rotenone-treated rats. Accordingly, PCM (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was selected for further mechanistic investigations, where it ameliorated rotenone-induced oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, apoptosis, and disturbed cannabinoid receptors' expression. In conclusion, our findings imply a multi-target neuroprotective effect of PCM in PD which could be attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities, in addition to cannabinoid receptors' modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Yassin Labib
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ramy M Ammar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Reem N El-Naga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alshaymaa Amin Zaki El-Bahy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative City, Egypt
| | - Mariane G Tadros
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Haidy E Michel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
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20
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Duffy SS, Hayes JP, Fiore NT, Moalem-Taylor G. The cannabinoid system and microglia in health and disease. Neuropharmacology 2021; 190:108555. [PMID: 33845074 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have yielded significant advances in our understanding of microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia are key players in CNS development, immune surveillance, and the maintenance of proper neuronal function throughout life. In the healthy brain, homeostatic microglia have a unique molecular signature. In neurological diseases, microglia become activated and adopt distinct transcriptomic signatures, including disease-associated microglia (DAM) implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. Homeostatic microglia synthesise the endogenous cannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide and express the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 at constitutively low levels. Upon activation, microglia significantly increase their synthesis of endocannabinoids and upregulate their expression of CB2 receptors, which promote a protective microglial phenotype by enhancing their production of neuroprotective factors and reducing their production of pro-inflammatory factors. Here, we summarise the effects of the microglial cannabinoid system in the CNS demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis, the neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. We discuss the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in regulating microglial activity and highlight the need to further investigate their specific microglia-dependent immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Duffy
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jessica P Hayes
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Nathan T Fiore
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Gila Moalem-Taylor
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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21
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Maleki MF, Nadri H, Kianfar M, Edraki N, Eisvand F, Ghodsi R, Mohajeri SA, Hadizadeh F. Design and synthesis of new carbamates as inhibitors for fatty acid amide hydrolase and cholinesterases: Molecular dynamic, in vitro and in vivo studies. Bioorg Chem 2021; 109:104684. [PMID: 33607363 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) shows neuroprotective effects, the inhibition of its degradative enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has been considered as a hopeful avenue for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Memory loss, cognitive impairment and diminution of the cholinergic tone, due to the dying cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain, are common hallmarks in patients with AD. By taking advantage of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), the degradation of acetylcholine (ACh) is decreased leading to enhanced cholinergic neurotransmission in the aforementioned region and ultimately improves the clinical condition of AD patients. In this work, new carbamates were designed as inhibitors of FAAH and cholinestrases (ChEs) (acetylcholinestrase (AChE), butyrylcholinestrase (BuChE)) inspired by the structure of the native substrates, structure of active sites and the SARs of the well-known inhibitors of these enzymes. All the designed compounds were synthesized using different reactions. All the target compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity against FAAH and ChEs by employing the Cayman assay kit and Elman method respectively. Generally, compounds possessing aminomethyl phenyl linker was more potent compared to their corresponding compounds possessing piperazinyl ethyl linker. The inhibitory potential of the compounds 3a-q extended from 0.83 ± 0.03 μM (3i) to ˃100 μM (3a) for FAAH, 0.39 ± 0.02 μM (3i) to 24% inhibition in 113 ± 4.8 μM (3b) for AChE, and 1.8 ± 3.2 μM (3i) to 23.2 ± 0.2 μM (3b) for BuChE. Compound 3i a heptyl carbamate analog possessing 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin ring and aminomethyl phenyl linker showed the most inhibitory activity against three enzymes. Also, compound 3i was investigated for memory improvement using the Morris water maze test in which the compound showed better memory improvement at 10 mg/kg compared to reference drug rivastigmine at 2.5 mg/kg. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies of compound 3i into the enzymes displayed the possible interactions of key residues of the active sites with compound 3i. Finally, kinetic study indicated that 3i inhibits AChE through the mixed- mode mechanism and non-competitive inhibition mechanism was revealed for BuChE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Faal Maleki
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Nadri
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mostafa Kianfar
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Najmeh Edraki
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farhad Eisvand
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Razieh Ghodsi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Ahmad Mohajeri
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzin Hadizadeh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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22
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Ledesma JC, Rodríguez‐Arias M, Gavito AL, Sánchez‐Pérez AM, Viña J, Medina Vera D, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Miñarro J. Adolescent binge-ethanol accelerates cognitive impairment and β-amyloid production and dysregulates endocannabinoid signaling in the hippocampus of APP/PSE mice. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12883. [PMID: 32043730 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Previous research in rodents suggests that the long-term neurobehavioral disturbances induced by chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure could be due to endocannabinoid system (ECS) alterations. Moreover, ECS failure has been proposed to mediate the cognitive impairment and β-amyloid production in Alzheimer disease (AD). Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of adolescent EtOH binge drinking on the cognitive disturbances, hippocampal β-amyloid levels, and in the ECS expression on a transgenic mouse model (APP/PSEN, AZ) of AD. We exposed AZ and wild-type mice to a binge-drinking treatment during adolescence. At 6 and 12 months of age, we evaluated hippocampal-dependent learning and memory: β-amyloid concentrations and RNA and protein levels of cannabinoid type-2 receptors (CB2), diacylglycerol lipase-α (DAGLα), and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) in the hippocampus. The results showed that binge-EtOH treatment worsens cognitive function and increases β-amyloid levels in AZ. At 6 months, EtOH heightens CB2 (RNA and protein) and DAGLα (RNA) expression in wild type but not in AZ. On the contrary, EtOH enhances MAGL RNA expression only in AZ. At 12 months, AZ displays increased levels of CB2 (RNA and protein) and DAGLα (protein) compared with control. Similar to what happens at 6 months, EtOH induces an increase in CB2 gene expression in wild type but not in AZ; however, it augments CB2 and DAGLα protein levels in both genotypes. Therefore, we propose that adolescent binge drinking accelerates cognitive deficits associated with aging and AD. It also accelerates hippocampal β-amyloid accumulation in AZ and affects differently the ECS response in wild type and AZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Rodríguez‐Arias
- Departament de Psicobiologia Universitat de València Valencia Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS‐Trastornos Adictivos), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER Madrid Spain
| | - Ana L. Gavito
- Instituto IBIMA, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Unidad de Gestión de Salud Mental Málaga Spain
| | | | - José Viña
- Freshage Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine University of Valencia, CIBERFES Valencia Spain
| | - Dina Medina Vera
- Instituto IBIMA, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Unidad de Gestión de Salud Mental Málaga Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS‐Trastornos Adictivos), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER Madrid Spain
- Instituto IBIMA, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Unidad de Gestión de Salud Mental Málaga Spain
| | - José Miñarro
- Departament de Psicobiologia Universitat de València Valencia Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS‐Trastornos Adictivos), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER Madrid Spain
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23
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The impact of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2Rs) in neuroprotection against neurological disorders. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1507-1518. [PMID: 33024239 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids have long been used for their psychotropic and possible medical properties of symptom relief. In the past few years, a vast literature shows that cannabinoids are neuroprotective under different pathological situations. Most of the effects of cannabinoids are mediated by the well-characterized cannabinoid receptors, the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) and cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R). Even though CB1Rs are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), the adverse central side effects and the development of tolerance resulting from CB1R activation may ultimately limit the clinical utility of CB1R agonists. In contrast to the ubiquitous presence of CB1Rs, CB2Rs are less commonly expressed in the healthy CNS but highly upregulated in glial cells under neuropathological conditions. Experimental studies have provided robust evidence that CB2Rs seem to be involved in the modulation of different neurological disorders. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the protective effects of CB2R activation against the development of neurological diseases and provide a perspective on the future of this field. A better understanding of the fundamental pharmacology of CB2R activation is essential for the development of clinical applications and the design of novel therapeutic strategies.
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24
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Possible interaction between the ventral hippocampal cannabinoid CB2 and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on the modulation of memory consolidation in mice. Neuroreport 2020; 31:174-183. [DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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25
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Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2019; 16:9-29. [DOI: 10.1038/s41582-019-0284-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 320] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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26
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Scheiner M, Dolles D, Gunesch S, Hoffmann M, Nabissi M, Marinelli O, Naldi M, Bartolini M, Petralla S, Poeta E, Monti B, Falkeis C, Vieth M, Hübner H, Gmeiner P, Maitra R, Maurice T, Decker M. Dual-Acting Cholinesterase-Human Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Ligands Show Pronounced Neuroprotection in Vitro and Overadditive and Disease-Modifying Neuroprotective Effects in Vivo. J Med Chem 2019; 62:9078-9102. [PMID: 31609608 PMCID: PMC7640639 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have designed and synthesized a series of 14 hybrid molecules out of the cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor tacrine and a benzimidazole-based human cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (hCB2R) agonist and investigated them in vitro and in vivo. The compounds are potent ChE inhibitors, and for the most promising hybrids, the mechanism of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) inhibition as well as their ability to interfere with AChE-induced aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ), and Aβ self-aggregation was assessed. All hybrids were evaluated for affinity and selectivity for hCB1R and hCB2R. To ensure that the hybrids retained their agonist character, the expression of cAMP-regulated genes was quantified, and potency and efficacy were determined. Additionally, the effects of the hybrids on microglia activation and neuroprotection on HT-22 cells were investigated. The most promising in vitro hybrids showed pronounced neuroprotection in an Alzheimer's mouse model at low dosage (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), lacking hepatotoxicity even at high dose (3 mg/kg, i.p.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Scheiner
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Dolles
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Gunesch
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hoffmann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Massimo Nabissi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Oliviero Marinelli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Marina Naldi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Petralla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Poeta
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Christina Falkeis
- Pathology, Clinical Center Bayreuth, Preuschwitzer Straße 101, 95445 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Michael Vieth
- Pathology, Clinical Center Bayreuth, Preuschwitzer Straße 101, 95445 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Harald Hübner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schuhstraße 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rangan Maitra
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EPHE, UMR-S1198, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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27
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CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist ameliorates novel object recognition but not spatial memory in transgenic APP/PS1 mice. Neurosci Lett 2019; 707:134286. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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28
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Abstract
Cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and the enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis and degradation constitute the endocannabinoid system. In recent decades, the endocannabinoid system has attracted considerable interest as a potential therapeutic target in numerous pathological conditions. Its involvement in several physiological processes is well known, such as in energy balance, appetite stimulation, blood pressure, pain modulation, embryogenesis, nausea and vomiting control, memory, learning and immune response, among others, as well as in pathological conditions where it exerts a protective role in the development of certain disorders. As a result, it has been reported that changes in endocannabinoid levels may be related to neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, as well as anorexia and irritable bowel syndrome. Alterations in the endocannabinoid system have also been associated with cancer, affecting the growth, migration and invasion of some tumours. Cannabinoids have been tested in several cancer types, including brain, breast and prostate cancers. Cannabinoids have shown promise as analgesics for the treatment of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain. There is also evidence for a role of the endocannabinoid system in the control of emotional states, and cannabinoids could prove useful in decreasing and palliating post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and anxiolytic disorders. The role of the endocannabinoid system in addictions has also been examined, and cannabinoids have been postulated as alternative and co-adjuvant treatments in some abuse syndromes, mainly in ethanol and opioid abuses. The expression of the endocannabinoid system in the eye suggests that it could be a potential therapeutic target for eye diseases. Considering the importance of the endocannabinoid system and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in this vast number of medical conditions, several clinical studies with cannabinoid-based medications are ongoing. In addition, some cannabinoid-based medications have already been approved in various countries, including nabilone and dronabinol capsules for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, dronabinol capsules for anorexia, an oral solution of dronabinol for both vomiting associated with chemotherapy and anorexia, a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol oromucosal spray for pain related to cancer and for spasticity and pain associated with multiple sclerosis, and an oral solution of cannabidiol for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Here, we review the available efficacy, safety and tolerability data for cannabinoids in a range of medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Fraguas-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 , Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Torres-Suárez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 , Madrid, Spain. .,Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 , Madrid, Spain.
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29
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Schmöle AC, Lundt R, Toporowski G, Hansen JN, Beins E, Halle A, Zimmer A. Cannabinoid Receptor 2-Deficiency Ameliorates Disease Symptoms in a Mouse Model with Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 64:379-392. [PMID: 29865078 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a modulator of neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, expression of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is induced in plaque-associated microglia and astrocytes in brain tissues from AD patients and in genetic mouse models expressing pathogenic variants of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, the exact mechanism of CB2 signaling in this mouse model remains elusive, because the genetic deletion of CB2 and the pharmacological activation of CB2 both reduced neuroinflammation. Here, we demonstrate that CB2 deletion also improved cognitive and learning deficits in APP/PS1*CB2-/- mice. This was accompanied by reduced neuronal loss and decreased plaque levels and coincided with increased expression of Aβ degrading enzymes. Interestingly, plaque-associated microglia in APP/PS1*CB2-/- mice showed a less activated morphology, while plaques were smaller and more condensed than in APP/PS1 mice. Taken together, these results indicate a beneficial effect of CB2-deficiency in APP transgenic mice. CB2 appears to be part of a protective system that may be detrimental when engaged continuously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Caroline Schmöle
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ramona Lundt
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gregor Toporowski
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan N Hansen
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (Caesar), Max Planck research group "Neuroimmunology", Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Eva Beins
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annett Halle
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (Caesar), Max Planck research group "Neuroimmunology", Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
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30
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Rodríguez-Soacha DA, Scheiner M, Decker M. Multi-target-directed-ligands acting as enzyme inhibitors and receptor ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 180:690-706. [PMID: 31401465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we present the latest advances in the field of multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) design for the treatment of various complex pathologies of multifactorial origin. In particular, latest findings in the field of MTDL design targeting both an enzyme and a receptor are presented for different diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), depression, addiction, glaucoma, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and pain and inflammation. The ethology of the diseases is briefly described, with special emphasis on how the MTDL can evolve into novel therapies that replace the classic pharmacological dogma "one target one disease". Considering the current needs for therapy adherence improvement, it is exposed as from the medicinal chemistry, different molecular scaffolds are studied. With the use of structure activity relationship studies and molecular optimization, new hybrid molecules are generated with improved biological properties acting at two biologically very distinct targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Alejandro Rodríguez-Soacha
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Scheiner
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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31
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Ni R, Mu L, Ametamey S. Positron emission tomography of type 2 cannabinoid receptors for detecting inflammation in the central nervous system. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:351-357. [PMID: 29921889 PMCID: PMC6460366 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor CB2 (CB2R) is upregulated on activated microglia and astrocytes in the brain under inflammatory conditions and plays important roles in many neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and ischemic stroke. The advent of positron emission tomography (PET) using CB2R radiotracers has enabled the visualization of CB2R distribution in vivo in animal models of central nervous system inflammation, however translation to humans has been less successful. Several novel CB2R radiotracers have been developed and evaluated to quantify microglial activation. In this review, we summarize the recent preclinical and clinical imaging results of CB2R PET tracers and discuss the prospects of CB2R imaging using PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland.
| | - Linjing Mu
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
| | - Simon Ametamey
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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32
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Cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist JWH-133, attenuates Okadaic acid induced spatial memory impairment and neurodegeneration in rats. Life Sci 2019; 217:25-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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33
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Aymerich MS, Aso E, Abellanas MA, Tolon RM, Ramos JA, Ferrer I, Romero J, Fernández-Ruiz J. Cannabinoid pharmacology/therapeutics in chronic degenerative disorders affecting the central nervous system. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 157:67-84. [PMID: 30121249 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) exerts a modulatory effect of important functions such as neurotransmission, glial activation, oxidative stress, or protein homeostasis. Dysregulation of these cellular processes is a common neuropathological hallmark in aging and in neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The broad spectrum of actions of cannabinoids allows targeting different aspects of these multifactorial diseases. In this review, we examine the therapeutic potential of the ECS for the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. First, we describe the localization of the molecular components of the ECS and how they are altered under neurodegenerative conditions, either contributing to or protecting cells from degeneration. Second, we address recent advances in the modulation of the ECS using experimental models through different strategies including the direct targeting of cannabinoid receptors with agonists or antagonists, increasing the endocannabinoid tone by the inhibition of endocannabinoid hydrolysis, and activation of cannabinoid receptor-independent effects. Preclinical evidence indicates that cannabinoid pharmacology is complex but supports the therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS. Third, we review the clinical evidence and discuss the future perspectives on how to bridge human and animal studies to develop cannabinoid-based therapies for each neurodegenerative disorder. Finally, we summarize the most relevant opportunities of cannabinoid pharmacology related to each disease and the multiple unexplored pathways in cannabinoid pharmacology that could be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Aymerich
- Universidad de Navarra, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Genética, Pamplona, Spain; Universidad de Navarra, CIMA, Programa de Neurociencias, Pamplona, Spain; IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Spain.
| | - Ester Aso
- Departamento de Patología y Terapéutica Experimental, Universidad de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Miguel A Abellanas
- Universidad de Navarra, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Genética, Pamplona, Spain; Universidad de Navarra, CIMA, Programa de Neurociencias, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rosa M Tolon
- Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Jose A Ramos
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; IRYCIS, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Departamento de Patología y Terapéutica Experimental, Universidad de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Julian Romero
- Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; IRYCIS, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
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Gallelli CA, Calcagnini S, Romano A, Koczwara JB, de Ceglia M, Dante D, Villani R, Giudetti AM, Cassano T, Gaetani S. Modulation of the Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation by Endocannabinoids and Their Lipid Analogues. Antioxidants (Basel) 2018; 7:E93. [PMID: 30021985 PMCID: PMC6070960 DOI: 10.3390/antiox7070093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence supports the pivotal role played by oxidative stress in tissue injury development, thus resulting in several pathologies including cardiovascular, renal, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders, all characterized by an altered oxidative status. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation-derived reactive aldehydes including acrolein, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, among others, are the main responsible for cellular and tissue damages occurring in redox-dependent processes. In this scenario, a link between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and redox homeostasis impairment appears to be crucial. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, the best characterized endocannabinoids, are able to modulate the activity of several antioxidant enzymes through targeting the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 as well as additional receptors such as the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, and the orphan G protein-coupled receptors 18 and 55. Moreover, the endocannabinoids lipid analogues N-acylethanolamines showed to protect cell damage and death from reactive aldehydes-induced oxidative stress by restoring the intracellular oxidants-antioxidants balance. In this review, we will provide a better understanding of the main mechanisms triggered by the cross-talk between the oxidative stress and the ECS, focusing also on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants as scavengers of reactive aldehydes and their toxic bioactive adducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Anna Gallelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvio Calcagnini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Justyna Barbara Koczwara
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marialuisa de Ceglia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Donatella Dante
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Rosanna Villani
- C.U.R.E. University Centre for Liver Disease Research and Treatment, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Giudetti
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Cassano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Luigi Pinto, c/o Ospedali Riuniti, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Wang L, Shi FX, Xu WQ, Cao Y, Li N, Li M, Wang Q, Wang JZ, Tian Q, Yu LK, Zhou XW. The Down-Expression of ACE and IDE Exacerbates Exogenous Amyloid-β Neurotoxicity in CB2R–/– Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:957-971. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-180142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang-Xiao Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei-Qi Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Man Li
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Kai Yu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin-Wen Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Paloczi J, Varga ZV, Hasko G, Pacher P. Neuroprotection in Oxidative Stress-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of Endocannabinoid System Modulation. Antioxid Redox Signal 2018; 29:75-108. [PMID: 28497982 PMCID: PMC5984569 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Redox imbalance may lead to overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and subsequent oxidative tissue damage, which is a critical event in the course of neurodegenerative diseases. It is still not fully elucidated, however, whether oxidative stress is the primary trigger or a consequence in the process of neurodegeneration. Recent Advances: Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the propagation of neuronal injury and consequent inflammatory response, which in concert promote development of pathological alterations characteristic of most common neurodegenerative diseases. CRITICAL ISSUES Accumulating recent evidence also suggests that there is an important interplay between the lipid endocannabinoid system [ECS; comprising the main cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids, and their synthetic and metabolizing enzymes] and various key inflammatory and redox-dependent processes. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Targeting the ECS to modulate redox state-dependent cell death and to decrease consequent or preceding inflammatory response holds therapeutic potential in a multitude of oxidative stress-related acute or chronic neurodegenerative disorders from stroke and traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few, which will be discussed in this overview. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 75-108.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janos Paloczi
- 1 Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury (LCPTI), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Zoltan V Varga
- 1 Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury (LCPTI), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - George Hasko
- 2 Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School , Newark, New Jersey
| | - Pal Pacher
- 1 Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury (LCPTI), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) , Bethesda, Maryland
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Zhang J, Chen C. Alleviation of Neuropathology by Inhibition of Monoacylglycerol Lipase in APP Transgenic Mice Lacking CB2 Receptors. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:4802-4810. [PMID: 28733897 PMCID: PMC5776068 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0689-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary enzyme that hydrolyzes the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the brain, produces profound anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects and improves synaptic and cognitive functions in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects produced by inhibition of 2-AG metabolism are still not clear. The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) has been thought to be a therapeutic target for AD. Here, we provide evidence, however, that CB2R does not play a role in ameliorating AD neuropathology produced by inactivation of MAGL in 5XFAD APP transgenic mice, an animal model of AD. We observed that expression of APP and β-secretase as well as production of total Aβ and Aβ42 were significantly reduced in APP transgenic mice lacking CB2R (TG-CB2-KO) treated with JZL184, a selective and potent inhibitor for MAGL. Inactivation of MAGL also alleviated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in TG-CB2-KO mice. Importantly, TG-CB2-KO mice treated with JZL184 still exhibited improvements in spatial learning and memory. In addition, MAGL inhibition prevented deterioration in expression of important synaptic proteins in TG-CB2-KO mice. Our results suggest that CB2R is not required in ameliorating neuropathology and preventing cognitive decline by inhibition of 2-AG metabolism in AD model animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 2020 Gravier Street, Suite D, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Chu Chen
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 2020 Gravier Street, Suite D, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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38
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López A, Aparicio N, Pazos MR, Grande MT, Barreda-Manso MA, Benito-Cuesta I, Vázquez C, Amores M, Ruiz-Pérez G, García-García E, Beatka M, Tolón RM, Dittel BN, Hillard CJ, Romero J. Cannabinoid CB 2 receptors in the mouse brain: relevance for Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:158. [PMID: 29793509 PMCID: PMC5968596 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1174-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Because of their low levels of expression and the inadequacy of current research tools, CB2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2R) have been difficult to study, particularly in the brain. This receptor is especially relevant in the context of neuroinflammation, so novel tools are needed to unveil its pathophysiological role(s). Methods We have generated a transgenic mouse model in which the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is under the control of the cnr2 gene promoter through the insertion of an Internal Ribosomal Entry Site followed by the EGFP coding region immediately 3′ of the cnr2 gene and crossed these mice with mice expressing five familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mutations (5xFAD). Results Expression of EGFP in control mice was below the level of detection in all regions of the central nervous system (CNS) that we examined. CB2R-dependent-EGFP expression was detected in the CNS of 3-month-old AD mice in areas of intense inflammation and amyloid deposition; expression was coincident with the appearance of plaques in the cortex, hippocampus, brain stem, and thalamus. The expression of EGFP increased as a function of plaque formation and subsequent microgliosis and was restricted to microglial cells located in close proximity to neuritic plaques. AD mice with CB2R deletion exhibited decreased neuritic plaques with no changes in IL1β expression. Conclusions Using a novel reporter mouse line, we found no evidence for CB2R expression in the healthy CNS but clear up-regulation in the context of amyloid-triggered neuroinflammation. Data from CB2R null mice indicate that they play a complex role in the response to plaque formation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-018-1174-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia López
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.,Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Noelia Aparicio
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Ruth Pazos
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Teresa Grande
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Asunción Barreda-Manso
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Benito-Cuesta
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Amores
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Ruiz-Pérez
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena García-García
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margaret Beatka
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Rosa M Tolón
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bonnie N Dittel
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Julián Romero
- Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, C/ Budapest 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. .,Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
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Dorsal hippocampal cannabinergic and GABAergic systems modulate memory consolidation in passive avoidance task. Brain Res Bull 2018; 137:197-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Wang L, Liu BJ, Cao Y, Xu WQ, Sun DS, Li MZ, Shi FX, Li M, Tian Q, Wang JZ, Zhou XW. Deletion of Type-2 Cannabinoid Receptor Induces Alzheimer's Disease-Like Tau Pathology and Memory Impairment Through AMPK/GSK3β Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4731-4744. [PMID: 28717968 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0676-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Although several studies have shown that type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) is involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, the effects of CB2R on AD-like tau abnormal phosphorylation and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. Herein, we employed the CB2R-/- mice as the animal model to explore roles of CB2R in regulating tau phosphorylation and brain function. We found that CB2R-/- mice display AD-like tau hyperphosphorylation, hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, increase of GSK3β activity, decrease of AMPK and Sirt1 activity and mitochondria dysfunction. Interestingly, AICAR or resveratrol (AMPK agonist) could efficiently rescue most alternations caused by solo deletion of CB2R in CB2R-/- mice. Moreover, JWH133, a selective agonist of CB2R, reduces phosphorylation of tau and GSK3β activity in HEK293 tau cells, but the effects of JWH133 on phosphorylation of tau and GSK3β disappeared while blocking AMPK activity with compound C or Prkaa2-RNAi. Taken together, our study indicated that deletion of CB2R induces behavior damage and AD-like pathological alternation via AMPK/GSK3β pathway. These findings proved that CB2R/AMPK/GSK3β pathway can be a promising new drug target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bing-Jin Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wei-Qi Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Meng-Zhu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fang-Xiao Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Man Li
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xin-Wen Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of National Education Ministry and Hubei Province, Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Basavarajappa BS, Shivakumar M, Joshi V, Subbanna S. Endocannabinoid system in neurodegenerative disorders. J Neurochem 2017; 142:624-648. [PMID: 28608560 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are characterized by cognitive impairment and other neurological defects. The definite cause of and pathways underlying the progression of these NDDs are not well-defined. Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to the development of NDDs. These mechanisms may proceed concurrently or successively, and they differ among cell types at different developmental stages in distinct brain regions. The endocannabinoid system, which involves cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1R) and type 2 (CB2R), endogenous cannabinoids and the enzymes that catabolize these compounds, has been shown to contribute to the development of NDDs in several animal models and human studies. In this review, we discuss the functions of the endocannabinoid system in NDDs and converse the therapeutic efficacy of targeting the endocannabinoid system to rescue NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balapal S Basavarajappa
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Madhu Shivakumar
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA
| | - Vikram Joshi
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA
| | - Shivakumar Subbanna
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA
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Wu J, Hocevar M, Foss JF, Bie B, Naguib M. Activation of CB 2 receptor system restores cognitive capacity and hippocampal Sox2 expression in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 811:12-20. [PMID: 28551012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuroinflammation, extensive deposits of amyloid-β aggregates, and loss of memory and cognitive abilities. The brains of patients with AD show increased expression of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) receptors and glial markers. CB2 receptors act as a negative feedback regulator; when activated by a CB2 agonist, they can help limit the extent of the neuroinflammatory response and the subsequent development of neuronal damage in the central nervous system. In a double transgenic APP/PS1 mice model of AD, we evaluated the effect of MDA7, a CB2 agonist, on several neuropathological conditions of AD including amyloid deposition, inflammatory reaction, Sox2 (sex-determining region Y-box 2) expression, and spatial memory. Activation of microglia CB2 receptors by MDA7 suppressed neuroinflammation, demonstrated by decreased immunosignal of Iba1 in the hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) areas, promoted clearance of amyloid plaques in the DG area, restored Sox2 expression, and promoted recovery of the neuronal synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1. In addition, treatment with MDA7 improved the behavioral performance in the Morris water maze in APP/PS1mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that MDA7 has a potential therapeutic effect in the setting of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Wu
- Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave. - NE6-306, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Mark Hocevar
- Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave. - NE6-306, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Medical student, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Joseph F Foss
- Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave. - NE6-306, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Bihua Bie
- Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave. - NE6-306, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Mohamed Naguib
- Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave. - NE6-306, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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Lipina C, Hundal HS. The endocannabinoid system: 'NO' longer anonymous in the control of nitrergic signalling? J Mol Cell Biol 2017; 9:91-103. [PMID: 28130308 PMCID: PMC5439392 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjx008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a key cellular signalling system that has been implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular functions. Importantly, growing evidence suggests that the biological actions of the ECS may, in part, be mediated through its ability to regulate the production and/or release of nitric oxide, a ubiquitous bioactive molecule, which functions as a versatile signalling intermediate. Herein, we review and discuss evidence pertaining to ECS-mediated regulation of nitric oxide production, as well as the involvement of reactive nitrogen species in regulating ECS-induced signal transduction by highlighting emerging work supporting nitrergic modulation of ECS function. Importantly, the studies outlined reveal that interactions between the ECS and nitrergic signalling systems can be both stimulatory and inhibitory in nature, depending on cellular context. Moreover, such crosstalk may act to maintain proper cell function, whereas abnormalities in either system can undermine cellular homoeostasis and contribute to various pathologies associated with their dysregulation. Consequently, future studies targeting these signalling systems may provide new insights into the potential role of the ECS–nitric oxide signalling axis in disease development and/or lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of nitrosative stress-related neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lipina
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DundeeDD1 5EH, UK
| | - Harinder S Hundal
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DundeeDD1 5EH, UK
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Aso E, Ferrer I. CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor As Potential Target against Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:243. [PMID: 27303261 PMCID: PMC4885828 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The CB2 receptor is one of the components of the endogenous cannabinoid system, a complex network of signaling molecules and receptors involved in the homeostatic control of several physiological functions. Accumulated evidence suggests a role for CB2 receptors in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and indicates their potential as a therapeutic target against this neurodegenerative disease. Levels of CB2 receptors are significantly increased in post-mortem AD brains, mainly in microglia surrounding senile plaques, and their expression levels correlate with the amounts of Aβ42 and β-amyloid plaque deposition. Moreover, several studies on animal models of AD have demonstrated that specific CB2 receptor agonists, which are devoid of psychoactive effects, reduce AD-like pathology, resulting in attenuation of the inflammation associated with the disease but also modulating Aβ and tau aberrant processing, among other effects. CB2 receptor activation also improves cognitive impairment in animal models of AD. This review discusses available data regarding the role of CB2 receptors in AD and the potential usefulness of specific agonists of these receptors against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Aso
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d'Anatomia Patològica, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de BarcelonaL'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED - Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos IIIMadrid, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d'Anatomia Patològica, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de BarcelonaL'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED - Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos IIIMadrid, Spain
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Aso E, Andrés-Benito P, Carmona M, Maldonado R, Ferrer I. Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Participates in Amyloid-β Processing in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease but Plays a Minor Role in the Therapeutic Properties of a Cannabis-Based Medicine. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 51:489-500. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-150913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ester Aso
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
| | - Pol Andrés-Benito
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
| | - Margarita Carmona
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBERNED, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Spain
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Onos KD, Sukoff Rizzo SJ, Howell GR, Sasner M. Toward more predictive genetic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res Bull 2015; 122:1-11. [PMID: 26708939 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetic mouse models for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been widely used to understand aspects of the biology of the disease, but have had limited success in translating these findings to the clinic. In this review, we discuss the benefits and limitations of existing genetic models and recent advances in technologies (including high throughput sequencing and genome editing) that promise more predictive models. We summarize widely used biomarkers and behavioral tests for mouse models of AD and highlight best practices that will maximize translatability of preclinical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States; Graduate Program in Genetics, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, United States.
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Motor, visual and emotional deficits in mice after closed-head mild traumatic brain injury are alleviated by the novel CB2 inverse agonist SMM-189. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 16:758-87. [PMID: 25561230 PMCID: PMC4307274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16010758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a focal blast model of closed-head mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice. As true for individuals that have experienced mild TBI, mice subjected to 50-60 psi blast show motor, visual and emotional deficits, diffuse axonal injury and microglial activation, but no overt neuron loss. Because microglial activation can worsen brain damage after a concussive event and because microglia can be modulated by their cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2), we evaluated the effectiveness of the novel CB2 receptor inverse agonist SMM-189 in altering microglial activation and mitigating deficits after mild TBI. In vitro analysis indicated that SMM-189 converted human microglia from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the pro-healing M2 phenotype. Studies in mice showed that daily administration of SMM-189 for two weeks beginning shortly after blast greatly reduced the motor, visual, and emotional deficits otherwise evident after 50-60 psi blasts, and prevented brain injury that may contribute to these deficits. Our results suggest that treatment with the CB2 inverse agonist SMM-189 after a mild TBI event can reduce its adverse consequences by beneficially modulating microglial activation. These findings recommend further evaluation of CB2 inverse agonists as a novel therapeutic approach for treating mild TBI.
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Association of CD33 polymorphism rs3865444 with Alzheimer's disease pathology and CD33 expression in human cerebral cortex. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 36:571-82. [PMID: 25448602 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings identified the minor A allele present in the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs3865444 in the CD33 gene as being associated with the reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). CD33 (Siglec-3) is an immune function protein with anti-inflammatory signaling, cell adhesion, and endocytosis functions with sialic acid-modified proteins or lipids as ligands. Its involvement in AD pathologic mechanisms is still unclear; so, the goal of this study was to investigate if the rs3865444 polymorphism affects the development of AD pathology and the expression of CD33 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. For this study, we used DNA from 96 nondemented (ND) and 97 AD neuropathologically diagnosed cases to identify the different rs3865444 alleles and correlate with different measures of AD pathology. Using semiquantitative histologic measures of plaque and tangle pathology, we saw no significant differences between the different genotypes within these disease groups. However, increased expression of CD33 mRNA was associated with increasing AD pathology in temporal cortex brain samples. We also showed that cases with A/A alleles had reduced levels of CD33 protein in temporal cortex but increased levels of the microglia protein IBA-1. Using immunohistochemistry on temporal cortex sections, CD33 was selectively localized to microglia, with greater expression in activated microglia. The factors causing increased CD33 expression by microglia in brain are still unclear, although both genetic and disease factors are involved. Treatment of human microglia isolated from autopsy brains with amyloid-beta peptide and a range of other inflammatory activating agents resulted in reduced CD33 mRNA and protein levels.
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Tracking neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: the role of positron emission tomography imaging. J Neuroinflammation 2014; 11:120. [PMID: 25005532 PMCID: PMC4099095 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-11-120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been reconceptualized as a dynamic pathophysiological process, where the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is thought to trigger a cascade of neurodegenerative events resulting in cognitive impairment and, eventually, dementia. In addition to Aβ pathology, various lines of research have implicated neuroinflammation as an important participant in AD pathophysiology. Currently, neuroinflammation can be measured in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) with ligands targeting diverse biological processes such as microglial activation, reactive astrocytes and phospholipase A2 activity. In terms of therapeutic strategies, despite a strong rationale and epidemiological studies suggesting that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the prevalence of AD, clinical trials conducted to date have proven inconclusive. In this respect, it has been hypothesized that NSAIDs may only prove protective if administered early on in the disease course, prior to the accumulation of significant AD pathology. In order to test various hypotheses pertaining to the exact role of neuroinflammation in AD, studies in asymptomatic carriers of mutations deterministic for early-onset familial AD may prove of use. In this respect, PET ligands for neuroinflammation may act as surrogate markers of disease progression, allowing for the development of more integrative models of AD, as well as for the measuring of target engagement in the context of clinical trials using NSAIDs. In this review, we address the biological basis of neuroinflammatory changes in AD, underscore therapeutic strategies using anti-inflammatory compounds, and shed light on the possibility of tracking neuroinflammation in vivo using PET imaging ligands.
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