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Yan YC, Meng GX, Yang CC, Yang YF, Tan SY, Yan LJ, Ding ZN, Ma YL, Dong ZR, Li T. Diacylglycerol lipase alpha promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression and induces lenvatinib resistance by enhancing YAP activity. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:404. [PMID: 37414748 PMCID: PMC10325985 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05919-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
As an important hydrolytic enzyme that yields 2-AG and free fatty acids, diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLA) is involved in exacerbating malignant phenotypes and cancer progression, but the role of the DAGLA/2-AG axis in HCC progression remains unclear. Here, we found that the upregulation of components of the DAGLA/2-AG axis in HCC samples is correlated with tumour stage and patient prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the DAGLA/2-AG axis promoted HCC progression by regulating cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Mechanistically, the DAGLA/2AG axis significantly inhibited LATS1 and YAP phosphorylation, promoted YAP nuclear translocation and activity, and ultimately led to TEAD2 upregulation and increased PHLDA2 expression, which could be enhanced by DAGLA/2AG-induced activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. More importantly, DAGLA induced resistance to lenvatinib therapy during HCC treatment. Our study demonstrates that inhibiting the DAGLA/2-AG axis could be a novel therapeutic strategy to inhibit HCC progression and enhance the therapeutic effects of TKIs, which warrant further clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chuan Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Guang-Xiao Meng
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Chun-Cheng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Ya-Fei Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Si-Yu Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Lun-Jie Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Zi-Niu Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Yun-Long Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Zhao-Ru Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China.
| | - Tao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China.
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Cherkasova V, Wang B, Gerasymchuk M, Fiselier A, Kovalchuk O, Kovalchuk I. Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Treatment of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5142. [PMID: 36291926 PMCID: PMC9600568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an ancient homeostasis mechanism operating from embryonic stages to adulthood. It controls the growth and development of many cells and cell lineages. Dysregulation of the components of the ECS may result in uncontrolled proliferation, adhesion, invasion, inhibition of apoptosis and increased vascularization, leading to the development of various malignancies. Cancer is the disease of uncontrolled cell division. In this review, we will discuss whether the changes to the ECS are a cause or a consequence of malignization and whether different tissues react differently to changes in the ECS. We will discuss the potential use of cannabinoids for treatment of cancer, focusing on primary outcome/care-tumor shrinkage and eradication, as well as secondary outcome/palliative care-improvement of life quality, including pain, appetite, sleep, and many more factors. Finally, we will complete this review with the chapter on sex- and gender-specific differences in ECS and response to cannabinoids, and equality of the access to treatments with cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriia Cherkasova
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Marta Gerasymchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Anna Fiselier
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Olga Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Igor Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
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3
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Ramer R, Wittig F, Hinz B. The Endocannabinoid System as a Pharmacological Target for New Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225701. [PMID: 34830856 PMCID: PMC8616499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cannabinoids have been shown to suppress tumour cell proliferation, tumour invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition and to induce tumour cell apoptosis, autophagy and immune response. This review focuses on the current status of investigations on the impact of inhibitors of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes on tumour growth and spread in preclinical oncology research. Abstract Despite the long history of cannabinoid use for medicinal and ritual purposes, an endogenous system of cannabinoid-controlled receptors, as well as their ligands and the enzymes that synthesise and degrade them, was only discovered in the 1990s. Since then, the endocannabinoid system has attracted widespread scientific interest regarding new pharmacological targets in cancer treatment among other reasons. Meanwhile, extensive preclinical studies have shown that cannabinoids have an inhibitory effect on tumour cell proliferation, tumour invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induce tumour cell apoptosis and autophagy as well as immune response. Appropriate cannabinoid compounds could moreover be useful for cancer patients as potential combination partners with other chemotherapeutic agents to increase their efficacy while reducing unwanted side effects. In addition to the direct activation of cannabinoid receptors through the exogenous application of corresponding agonists, another strategy is to activate these receptors by increasing the endocannabinoid levels at the corresponding pathological hotspots. Indeed, a number of studies accordingly showed an inhibitory effect of blockers of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) on tumour development and spread. This review summarises the relevant preclinical studies with FAAH and MAGL inhibitors compared to studies with cannabinoids and provides an overview of the regulation of the endocannabinoid system in cancer.
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Reece AS, Hulse GK. Cannabinoid exposure as a major driver of pediatric acute lymphoid Leukaemia rates across the USA: combined geospatial, multiple imputation and causal inference study. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:984. [PMID: 34479489 PMCID: PMC8414697 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08598-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) is the commonest childhood cancer whose incidence is rising in many nations. In the USA, between 1975 and 2016, ALL rates (ALLRs) rose 93.51% from 1.91 to 3.70/100,000 < 20 years. ALL is more common in Caucasian-Americans than amongst minorities. The cause of both the rise and the ethnic differential is unclear, however, prenatal cannabis exposure was previously linked with elevated childhood leukaemia rates. We investigated epidemiologically if cannabis use impacted nationally on ALLRs, its ethnic effects, and if the relationship was causal. METHODS State data on overall, and ethnic ALLR from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results databank of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) were combined with drug (cigarettes, alcoholism, cannabis, analgesics, cocaine) use data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health; 74.1% response rate. Income and ethnicity data was from the US Census bureau. Cannabinoid concentration was from the Drug Enforcement Agency Data. Data was analyzed in R by robust and spatiotemporal regression. RESULTS In bivariate analyses a dose-response relationship was demonstrated between ALLR and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), cocaine and cannabis exposure, with the effect of cannabis being strongest (β-estimate = 3.33(95%C.I. 1.97, 4.68), P = 1.92 × 10- 6). A strong effect of cannabis use quintile on ALLR was noted (Chi.Sq. = 613.79, P = 3.04 × 10- 70). In inverse probability weighted robust regression adjusted for other substances, income and ethnicity, cannabis was independently significant (β-estimate = 4.75(0.48, 9.02), P = 0.0389). In a spatiotemporal model adjusted for all drugs, income, and ethnicity, cannabigerol exposure was significant (β-estimate = 0.26(0.01, 0.52), P = 0.0444), an effect increased by spatial lagging (THC: β-estimate = 0.47(0.12, 0.82), P = 0.0083). After missing data imputation ethnic cannabis exposure was significant (β-estimate = 0.64(0.55, 0.72), P = 3.1 × 10- 40). 33/35 minimum e-Values ranged from 1.25 to 3.94 × 1036 indicative of a causal relationship. Relaxation of cannabis legal paradigms had higher ALLR (Chi.Squ.Trend = 775.12, P = 2.14 × 10- 112). Cannabis legal states had higher ALLR (2.395 ± 0.039 v. 2.127 ± 0.008 / 100,000, P = 5.05 × 10- 10). CONCLUSIONS Data show that ALLR is associated with cannabis consumption across space-time, is associated with the cannabinoids, THC, cannabigerol, cannabinol, cannabichromene, and cannabidiol, contributes to ethnic differentials, demonstrates prominent quintile effects, satisfies criteria for causality and is exacerbated by cannabis legalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Stuart Reece
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia. .,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027, Australia.
| | - Gary Kenneth Hulse
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027, Australia
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Li Y, Miller CA, Shea LK, Jiang X, Guzman MA, Chandler RJ, Ramakrishnan SM, Smith SN, Venditti CP, Vogler CA, Ory DS, Ley TJ, Sands MS. Enhanced Efficacy and Increased Long-Term Toxicity of CNS-Directed, AAV-Based Combination Therapy for Krabbe Disease. Mol Ther 2021; 29:691-701. [PMID: 33388420 PMCID: PMC7854295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infantile globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD, Krabbe disease) is a demyelinating disease caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme galactosylceramidase (GALC) and the progressive accumulation of the toxic metabolite psychosine. We showed previously that central nervous system (CNS)-directed, adeno-associated virus (AAV)2/5-mediated gene therapy synergized with bone marrow transplantation and substrate reduction therapy (SRT) to greatly increase therapeutic efficacy in the murine model of Krabbe disease (Twitcher). However, motor deficits remained largely refractory to treatment. In the current study, we replaced AAV2/5 with an AAV2/9 vector. This single change significantly improved several endpoints primarily associated with motor function. However, nearly all (14/16) of the combination-treated Twitcher mice and all (19/19) of the combination-treated wild-type mice developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 10 out of 10 tumors analyzed had AAV integrations within the Rian locus. Several animals had additional integrations within or near genes that regulate cell growth or death, are known or potential tumor suppressors, or are associated with poor prognosis in human HCC. Finally, the substrate reduction drug L-cycloserine significantly decreased the level of the pro-apoptotic ceramide 18:0. These data demonstrate the value of AAV-based combination therapy for Krabbe disease. However, they also suggest that other therapies or co-morbidities must be taken into account before AAV-mediated gene therapy is considered for human therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yedda Li
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher A Miller
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lauren K Shea
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xuntian Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Miguel A Guzman
- Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Randy J Chandler
- Medical Genomics and Metabolic Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sai M Ramakrishnan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephanie N Smith
- Medical Genomics and Metabolic Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Charles P Venditti
- Medical Genomics and Metabolic Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carole A Vogler
- Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel S Ory
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Timothy J Ley
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mark S Sands
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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6
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Du Y, Fan P, Zou L, Jiang Y, Gu X, Yu J, Zhang C. Serum Metabolomics Study of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:593510. [PMID: 33598460 PMCID: PMC7882692 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.593510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined metabolite profile differences between serum samples of thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) patients and healthy controls, aiming to identify candidate biomarkers and pathogenesis pathways in this cancer type. Serum samples were collected from PTC patients (n = 80) and healthy controls (n = 80). Using principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discrimination analysis(PLS-DA), orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), t-tests, and the volcano plot, a model of abnormal metabolic pathways in PTC was constructed. PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA analysis revealed differences in serum metabolic profiles between the PTC and control group. OPLS-Loading plot analysis, combined with Variable importance in the projection (VIP)>1, Fold change (FC) > 1.5, and p < 0.05 were used to screen 64 candidate metabolites. Among them, 22 metabolites, including proline betaine, taurocholic acid, L-phenylalanine, retinyl beta-glucuronide, alpha-tocotrienol, and threonine acid were upregulated in the PTC group; meanwhile, L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, 2-arachidonylglycerol, citric acid, and other 42 metabolites were downregulated in this group. There were eight abnormal metabolic pathways related to the differential metabolites, which may be involved in the pathophysiology of PTC. Six metabolites yielded an area under the receiver operating curve of >0.75, specifically, 3-hydroxy-cis-5-tetradecenoylcarnitine, aspartylphenylalanine, l-kynurenine, methylmalonic acid, phenylalanylphenylalanine, and l-glutamic acid. The Warburg effect was observed in PTC. The levels of 3-hydroxy-cis-5-tetradecenoylcarnitine, aspartylphenylalanine, l-kynurenine, methylmalonic acid, phenylalanine, and L-glutamic acid may help distinguish PTC patients from healthy controls. Aspartic acid metabolism, glutamic acid metabolism, urea cycle, and tricarboxylic acid cycle are involved in the mechanism of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Du
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Peizhi Fan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lianhong Zou
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaowen Gu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaojie Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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Śledziński P, Nowak-Terpiłowska A, Zeyland J. Cannabinoids in Medicine: Cancer, Immunity, and Microbial Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:E263. [PMID: 33383838 PMCID: PMC7795897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been a growing interest in the medical applications of Cannabis plants. They owe their unique properties to a group of secondary metabolites known as phytocannabinoids, which are specific for this genus. Phytocannabinoids, and cannabinoids generally, can interact with cannabinoid receptors being part of the endocannabinoid system present in animals. Over the years a growing body of scientific evidence has been gathered, suggesting that these compounds have therapeutic potential. In this article, we review the classification of cannabinoids, the molecular mechanisms of their interaction with animal cells as well as their potential application in the treatment of human diseases. Specifically, we focus on the research concerning the anticancer potential of cannabinoids in preclinical studies, their possible use in cancer treatment and palliative medicine, as well as their influence on the immune system. We also discuss their potential as therapeutic agents in infectious, autoimmune, and gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. We postulate that the currently ongoing and future clinical trials should be accompanied by research focused on the cellular and molecular response to cannabinoids and Cannabis extracts, which will ultimately allow us to fully understand the mechanism, potency, and safety profile of cannabinoids as single agents and as complementary drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Śledziński
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-032 Poznan, Poland;
| | | | - Joanna Zeyland
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-632 Poznan, Poland;
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Correia-Sá IB, Carvalho CM, Serrão PV, Loureiro AI, Fernandes-Lopes C, Marques M, Vieira-Coelho MA. A new role for anandamide: defective link between the systemic and skin endocannabinoid systems in hypertrophic human wound healing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11134. [PMID: 32636441 PMCID: PMC7341842 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68058-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of cannabinoids to treat fibrotic skin diseases is an emergent issue. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate systemic and skin endocannabinoid responses in the wound-healing process in humans. A prospective study was performed in 50 patients who underwent body-contouring surgery. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Ten (20%) patients developed hypertrophic (HT) scars. No significant changes were observed between the normal (N) scar and HT scar groups in terms of plasma and skin endocannabinoids. Nevertheless, a positive correlation between plasma and skin AEA concentrations was found in the N group (r = 0.38, p = 0.015), which was absent in the HT group. Moreover, the AEA concentration was significantly lower in HT scar tissue than in normal scar tissue (0.77 ± 0.12 ng/g vs 1.15 ± 0.15 ng/g, p < 0.001). Interestingly, in all patients, the surgical intervention produced a time-dependent effect with a U shape for AEA, PEA and OEA plasma concentrations. In contrast, 2-AG plasma concentrations increased 5 days after surgery and were reduced and stabilized 3 months later. These results suggest crosstalk between systemic and local skin endocannabinoid systems during human wound healing. AEA appears to be the most likely candidate for this link, which is deficient in patients with HT scars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês B Correia-Sá
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and Burn Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and Centro Hospitalar São João, EPE, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200 - 319, Porto, Portugal. .,Department of Biomedicine - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Cláudia M Carvalho
- Department of Biomedicine - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula V Serrão
- Department of Biomedicine - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,MedInUP-Centro de Investigação Farmacológica E Inovação Medicamentosa, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana I Loureiro
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Research and Development, BIAL-Portela & Cª., S.A., Trofa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fernandes-Lopes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Research and Development, BIAL-Portela & Cª., S.A., Trofa, Portugal
| | - Marisa Marques
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and Burn Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and Centro Hospitalar São João, EPE, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200 - 319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria A Vieira-Coelho
- Department of Biomedicine - Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,MedInUP-Centro de Investigação Farmacológica E Inovação Medicamentosa, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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9
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Stasiulewicz A, Znajdek K, Grudzień M, Pawiński T, Sulkowska JI. A Guide to Targeting the Endocannabinoid System in Drug Design. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082778. [PMID: 32316328 PMCID: PMC7216112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of the most crucial systems in the human organism, exhibiting multi-purpose regulatory character. It is engaged in a vast array of physiological processes, including nociception, mood regulation, cognitive functions, neurogenesis and neuroprotection, appetite, lipid metabolism, as well as cell growth and proliferation. Thus, ECS proteins, including cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands’ synthesizing and degrading enzymes, are promising therapeutic targets. Their modulation has been employed in or extensively studied as a treatment of multiple diseases. However, due to a complex nature of ECS and its crosstalk with other biological systems, the development of novel drugs turned out to be a challenging task. In this review, we summarize potential therapeutic applications for ECS-targeting drugs, especially focusing on promising synthetic compounds and preclinical studies. We put emphasis on modulation of specific proteins of ECS in different pathophysiological areas. In addition, we stress possible difficulties and risks and highlight proposed solutions. By presenting this review, we point out information pivotal in the spotlight of ECS-targeting drug design, as well as provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on ECS-related pharmacodynamics and show possible directions for needed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Stasiulewicz
- Department of Drug Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (T.P.)
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biological Systems Modelling, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (J.I.S.)
| | - Katarzyna Znajdek
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biological Systems Modelling, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Grudzień
- Department of Drug Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (T.P.)
| | - Tomasz Pawiński
- Department of Drug Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (T.P.)
| | - Joanna I. Sulkowska
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biological Systems Modelling, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (J.I.S.)
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10
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Roles of the Hepatic Endocannabinoid and Apelin Systems in the Pathogenesis of Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111311. [PMID: 31653030 PMCID: PMC6912778 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is the consequence of an unresolved wound healing process in response to chronic liver injury and involves multiple cell types and molecular mechanisms. The hepatic endocannabinoid and apelin systems are two signalling pathways with a substantial role in the liver fibrosis pathophysiology-both are upregulated in patients with advanced liver disease. Endogenous cannabinoids are lipid-signalling molecules derived from arachidonic acid involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular dysfunction, portal hypertension, liver fibrosis, and other processes associated with hepatic disease through their interactions with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Apelin is a peptide that participates in cardiovascular and renal functions, inflammation, angiogenesis, and hepatic fibrosis through its interaction with the APJ receptor. The endocannabinoid and apelin systems are two of the multiple cell-signalling pathways involved in the transformation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblast like cells, the main matrix-producing cells in liver fibrosis. The mechanisms underlying the control of hepatic stellate cell activity are coincident despite the marked dissimilarities between the endocannabinoid and apelin signalling pathways. This review discusses the current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the hepatic endocannabinoid and apelin systems play a significant role in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis.
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