1
|
Greco R, Demartini C, Francavilla M, Zanaboni AM, Facchetti S, Palmisani M, Franco V, Tassorelli C. Effects of the Dual FAAH/MAGL Inhibitor AKU-005 on Trigeminal Hyperalgesia in Male Rats. Cells 2024; 13:830. [PMID: 38786051 PMCID: PMC11119298 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100830] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of endocannabinoid hydrolysis by enzymatic inhibitors may interfere with mechanisms underlying migraine-related pain. The dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor AKU-005 shows potent inhibitory activity in vitro. Here, we assessed the effect of AKU-005 in a migraine animal model based on nitroglycerin (NTG) administration. Male rats were treated with AKU-005 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle 3 h after receiving NTG (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or NTG vehicle. One hour later, rats were subjected to the open field test followed by the orofacial formalin test. At the end of the test, we collected serum samples for assessing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels as well as meninges, trigeminal ganglia, and brain areas to assess mRNA levels of CGRP and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and endocannabinoid and related lipid levels. AKU-005 reduced NTG-induced hyperalgesia during the orofacial formalin test but did not influence NTG-induced changes in the open field test. It significantly reduced serum levels of CGRP, CGRP, and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels in the meninges, trigeminal ganglia, and central areas. Surprisingly, AKU-005 caused no change in endocannabinoids and related lipids in the regions evaluated. The present findings suggest that AKU-005 may have anti-migraine effects by reducing CGRP synthesis and release and the associated inflammatory events. This effect, however, does not seem mediated via an interference with the endocannabinoid pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Greco
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
| | - Chiara Demartini
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
| | - Miriam Francavilla
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Zanaboni
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Facchetti
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Michela Palmisani
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Unit, University of Pavia, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentina Franco
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Unit, University of Pavia, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Section of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (S.F.); (M.P.); (V.F.); (C.T.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bai X, Batallé G, Martínez-Martel I, Pol O. Hydrogen Sulfide Interacting with Cannabinoid 2 Receptors during Sciatic Nerve Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1179. [PMID: 37371911 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061179] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donors make opioids more effective in inhibiting nociception during inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We examined whether the analgesic, anxiolytic and/or antidepressant actions of the cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R) agonist, JWH-133, might be improved by pretreatment with H2S donors, DADS and GYY4137 in mice with sciatic nerve injury-provoked neuropathy (CCI). The reversion of the antinociceptive effects of these treatments with the CB2R antagonist, AM630, and the regulatory actions of H2S in the phosphorylation of NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IKBα) and in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), CB2R, Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) levels in prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventral hippocampus (vHIP) and periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), were examined. Data showed that the analgesic effects of JWH-133, systemically and locally administered, were improved by the DADS or GYY4137 pretreatment. The co-treatment of GYY4137 with JWH-133 also stopped anxiodepressive-like activities that concur with neuropathy. Our data likewise showed that both H2S donors normalized the inflammatory (p-IKBα), neurotrophic (BDNF) variations caused by CCI, increased the expression of CB2R and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway in PFC, v-HIP and/or PAG of animals with neuropathic pain. In addition, the blockade of the analgesia produced by high doses of DADS and GYY4137 with AM630 indicated the contribution of the endocannabinoid system in the effects of H2S during neuropathic pain, thus supporting the positive interaction between H2S and CB2R. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential use of CB2R agonists combined with H2S donors as a possible treatment for peripheral nerve injury-caused neuropathic pain and the associated emotional disturbances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Batallé
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Martínez-Martel
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Pol
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Neurofarmacologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Borgonetti V, Mugnaini C, Corelli F, Galeotti N. The Selective CB2 Agonist COR167 Reduced Symptoms in a Mice Model of Trauma-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy through HDAC-1 Inhibition. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1546. [PMID: 37371642 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a chronic disabling condition with a 7-10% of prevalence in the general population that is largely undertreated. Available analgesic therapies are poorly effective and are often accompanied by numerous side effects. Growing evidence indicates cannabinoids are a valuable treatment opportunity for neuropathic pain. The endocannabinoid system is an important regulator of pain perception through the CB1 receptors, but CB1 agonists, while largely effective, are not always satisfactory pain-relieving agents in clinics because of their serious adverse effects. Recently, several CB2 agonists have shown analgesic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-allodynic activity in the absence of CB1-induced psychostimulant effects, offering promise in neuropathic pain management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-neuropathic activity of a novel selective CB2 agonist, COR167, in a preclinical model of peripheral neuropathy, the spared nerve injury (SNI). Oral COR167, in a dose-dependent manner, attenuated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia after acute and repeated administration, showing the absence of tolerance induction. At anti-neuropathic doses, COR167 did not show any alteration in the locomotor behavior. SNI mice showed increased microglial levels of HDAC1 protein in the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord, along with NF-kB activation. COR167 treatment prevented the HDAC1 overexpression and the NF-kB activation and increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 through a CB2-mediated mechanism. Oral administration of COR167 shows promising therapeutic potential in the management of neuropathic pain conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Mugnaini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Federico Corelli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Galeotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Microglial Cannabinoid CB 2 Receptors in Pain Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032348. [PMID: 36768668 PMCID: PMC9917135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032348] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain, especially chronic pain, can strongly affect patients' quality of life. Cannabinoids ponhave been reported to produce potent analgesic effects in different preclinical pain models, where they primarily function as agonists of Gi/o protein-coupled cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are abundantly expressed in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The central activation of CB1 receptors is strongly associated with psychotropic adverse effects, thus largely limiting its therapeutic potential. However, the CB2 receptors are promising targets for pain treatment without psychotropic adverse effects, as they are primarily expressed in immune cells. Additionally, as the resident immune cells in the central nervous system, microglia are increasingly recognized as critical players in chronic pain. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the expression of CB2 receptors is significantly increased in activated microglia in the spinal cord, which exerts protective consequences within the surrounding neural circuitry by regulating the activity and function of microglia. In this review, we focused on recent advances in understanding the role of microglial CB2 receptors in spinal nociceptive circuitry, highlighting the mechanism of CB2 receptors in modulating microglia function and its implications for CB2 receptor- selective agonist-mediated analgesia.
Collapse
|
6
|
Endocannabinoid System: Chemical Characteristics and Biological Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16020148. [PMID: 37017445 PMCID: PMC9966761 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (eCB) has been studied to identify the molecular structures present in Cannabis sativa. eCB consists of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands, and the associated enzymatic apparatus responsible for maintaining energy homeostasis and cognitive processes. Several physiological effects of cannabinoids are exerted through interactions with various receptors, such as CB1 and CB2 receptors, vanilloid receptors, and the recently discovered G-protein-coupled receptors (GPR55, GPR3, GPR6, GPR12, and GPR19). Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidoylglycerol (2-AG), two small lipids derived from arachidonic acid, showed high-affinity binding to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. eCB plays a critical role in chronic pain and mood disorders and has been extensively studied because of its wide therapeutic potential and because it is a promising target for the development of new drugs. Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids have shown varied affinities for eCB and are relevant to the treatment of several neurological diseases. This review provides a description of eCB components and discusses how phytocannabinoids and other exogenous compounds may regulate the eCB balance. Furthermore, we show the hypo- or hyperfunctionality of eCB in the body and how eCB is related to chronic pain and mood disorders, even with integrative and complementary health practices (ICHP) harmonizing the eCB.
Collapse
|
7
|
Pricope CV, Tamba BI, Stanciu GD, Cuciureanu M, Neagu AN, Creanga-Murariu I, Dobrovat BI, Uritu CM, Filipiuc SI, Pricope BM, Alexa-Stratulat T. The Roles of Imaging Biomarkers in the Management of Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13038. [PMID: 36361821 PMCID: PMC9657736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) affects around 10% of the general population and has a significant social, emotional, and economic impact. Current diagnosis techniques rely mainly on patient-reported outcomes and symptoms, which leads to significant diagnostic heterogeneity and subsequent challenges in management and assessment of outcomes. As such, it is necessary to review the approach to a pathology that occurs so frequently, with such burdensome and complex implications. Recent research has shown that imaging methods can detect subtle neuroplastic changes in the central and peripheral nervous system, which can be correlated with neuropathic symptoms and may serve as potential markers. The aim of this paper is to review available imaging methods used for diagnosing and assessing therapeutic efficacy in CNP for both the preclinical and clinical setting. Of course, further research is required to standardize and improve detection accuracy, but available data indicate that imaging is a valuable tool that can impact the management of CNP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cosmin Vasilica Pricope
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Gabriela Dumitrita Stanciu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Magdalena Cuciureanu
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Anca Narcisa Neagu
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Carol I bvd. No. 22, 700505 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Creanga-Murariu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Ionut Dobrovat
- Department of Radiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Mariana Uritu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Silviu Iulian Filipiuc
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bianca-Mariana Pricope
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Medical Oncology-Radiotherapy Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Escudero-Lara A, Cabañero D, Maldonado R. Contribution of CD4+ cells in the emotional alterations induced by endometriosis in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:946975. [PMID: 36311856 PMCID: PMC9596757 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.946975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue in extrauterine locations. This chronic condition is frequently associated with pain and emotional disorders and has been related with altered immune function. However, the specific involvement of immune cells in pain and behavioral symptoms of endometriosis has not been yet elucidated. Here, we implement a mouse model of non-surgical endometriosis in which immunocompetent mice develop abdomino-pelvic hypersensitivity, cognitive deficits, anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. This behavioral phenotype correlates with expression of inflammatory markers in the brain, including the immune cell marker CD4. Depletion of CD4 + cells decreases the anxiety-like behavior of mice subjected to the endometriosis model, whereas abdomino-pelvic hypersensitivity, depressive-like behavior and cognitive deficits remain unaltered. The present data reveal the involvement of the immune response characterized by CD4 + white blood cells in the anxiety-like behavior induced by endometriosis in mice. This model, which recapitulates the symptoms of human endometriosis, may be a useful tool to study the immune mechanisms involved in pain and behavioral alterations associated to endometriosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Escudero-Lara
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cabañero
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- David Cabañero,
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Maldonado,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tudorancea IM, Ciorpac M, Stanciu GD, Caratașu C, Săcărescu A, Ignat B, Burlui A, Rezuș E, Creangă I, Alexa-Stratulat T, Tudorancea I, Tamba BI. The Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System in Age-Related Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2492. [PMID: 36289755 PMCID: PMC9599275 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) dynamically regulates many aspects of mammalian physiology. ECS has gained substantial interest since growing evidence suggests that it also plays a major role in several pathophysiological conditions due to its ability to modulate various underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, cannabinoids, as components of the cannabinoid system (CS), have proven beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, antioxidative, and cardioprotective effects. In this comprehensive review, we aimed to describe the complex interaction between CS and most common age-related diseases such as neuro-degenerative, oncological, skeletal, and cardiovascular disorders, together with the potential of various cannabinoids to ameliorate the progression of these disorders. Since chronic inflammation is postulated as the pillar of all the above-mentioned medical conditions, we also discuss in this paper the potential of CS to ameliorate aging-associated immune system dysregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivona Maria Tudorancea
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Mitică Ciorpac
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Gabriela Dumitrița Stanciu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Cătălin Caratașu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Alina Săcărescu
- Department of Medical Specialties II, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 14 Pantelimon Halipa, 700661 Iași, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ignat
- Department of Neurology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Alexandra Burlui
- Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iași, Romania
| | - Elena Rezuș
- Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iași, Romania
| | - Ioana Creangă
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Oncology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Oncology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Oncology Department, Regional Institute of Oncology, 700483 Iași, Romania
| | - Ionuț Tudorancea
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Cardiology Clinic “St. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iași, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shade RD, Ross JA, Van Bockstaele EJ. Targeting the cannabinoid system to counteract the deleterious effects of stress in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:949361. [PMID: 36268196 PMCID: PMC9577232 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.949361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized histologically in postmortem human brains by the presence of dense protein accumulations known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Plaques and tangles develop over decades of aberrant protein processing, post-translational modification, and misfolding throughout an individual’s lifetime. We present a foundation of evidence from the literature that suggests chronic stress is associated with increased disease severity in Alzheimer’s patient populations. Taken together with preclinical evidence that chronic stress signaling can precipitate cellular distress, we argue that chronic psychological stress renders select circuits more vulnerable to amyloid- and tau- related abnormalities. We discuss the ongoing investigation of systemic and cellular processes that maintain the integrity of protein homeostasis in health and in degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease that have revealed multiple potential therapeutic avenues. For example, the endogenous cannabinoid system traverses the central and peripheral neural systems while simultaneously exerting anti-inflammatory influence over the immune response in the brain and throughout the body. Moreover, the cannabinoid system converges on several stress-integrative neuronal circuits and critical regions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, with the capacity to dampen responses to psychological and cellular stress. Targeting the cannabinoid system by influencing endogenous processes or exogenously stimulating cannabinoid receptors with natural or synthetic cannabis compounds has been identified as a promising route for Alzheimer’s Disease intervention. We build on our foundational framework focusing on the significance of chronic psychological and cellular stress on the development of Alzheimer’s neuropathology by integrating literature on cannabinoid function and dysfunction within Alzheimer’s Disease and conclude with remarks on optimal strategies for treatment potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie D. Shade
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Ross
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jennifer A. Ross,
| | - Elisabeth J. Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ferranti AS, Foster DJ. Cannabinoid type-2 receptors: An emerging target for regulating schizophrenia-relevant brain circuits. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:925792. [PMID: 36033626 PMCID: PMC9403189 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.925792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the cannabinoid type-2 receptor (CB2) is highly expressed in the immune system, emerging evidence points to CB2 playing a key role in regulating neuronal function in the central nervous system. Recent anatomical studies, combined with electrophysiological studies, indicate that CB2 receptors are expressed in specific dopaminergic and glutamatergic brain circuits that are hyperactive in schizophrenia patients. The ability of CB2 receptors to inhibit dopaminergic and hippocampal circuits, combined with the anti-inflammatory effects of CB2 receptor activation, make this receptor an intriguing target for treating schizophrenia, a disease where novel interventions that move beyond dopamine receptor antagonists are desperately needed. The development of new CB2-related pharmacological and genetic tools, including the first small molecule positive allosteric modulator of CB2 receptors, has greatly advanced our understanding of this receptor. While more work is needed to further elucidate the translational value of selectively targeting CB2 receptors with respect to schizophrenia, the studies discussed below could suggest that CB2 receptors are anatomically located in schizophrenia-relevant circuits, where the physiological consequence of CB2 receptor activation could correct circuit-based deficits commonly associated with positive and cognitive deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S. Ferranti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Daniel J. Foster
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cortes-Altamirano JL, Yáñes-Pizaña A, Reyes-Long S, Angélica GM, Bandala C, Bonilla-Jaime H, Alfaro-Rodríguez A. Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Cannabinoids in Covid-19 Patients. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:1326-1345. [PMID: 35382723 DOI: 10.2174/1568026622666220405143003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus began in early 2020 and is still present. The respiratory symptoms caused by COVID-19 are well established, however, neurological manifestations that may result from direct or indirect neurological damage after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported frequently. The main proposed pathophysiological processes leading to neurological damage in COVID-19 are cerebrovascular disease, and indirect mechanisms of inflammatory / autoimmune origin. A growing number of studies confirm that neuroprotective measures should be maintained in COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, cannabinoids have been the subject of various studies that propose them as potential promising drugs in chronic neurodegenerative diseases due to their powerful neuroprotective potential. In this review we address the possible mechanism of action of cannabinoids as a neuroprotective treatment in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. The endocannabinoid system is found in multiple systems within the body, including the immune system. Its activation can lead to beneficial results, such as a decrease in viral entry, a decrease in viral replication, and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α or IFN-c through CB2R expression induced during inflammation by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the central nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Cortes-Altamirano
- Division de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, 14389, Mexico.,Departamento de Quiropráctica, Universidad Estatal del Valle de Ecatepec, Estado de Mexico, 55210, Mexico
| | - Ariadna Yáñes-Pizaña
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad del Valle de Mexico, Mexico City, 04910, México.,Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia en Pequeñas Especies, Federación Canofila Mexicana, Mexico City, 14430, México
| | - Samuel Reyes-Long
- Division de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, 14389, Mexico.,Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, 07738, México
| | - González-Maciel Angélica
- Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Morphology, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Insurgentes Sur No. 3700-C, Mexico City, C. P. 04530, Mexico
| | - Cindy Bandala
- Division de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, 14389, Mexico.,Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia en Pequeñas Especies, Federación Canofila Mexicana, Mexico City, 14430, México
| | - Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
- Departamento de Biología de la reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, 09340, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Alfaro-Rodríguez
- Division de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, 14389, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zieglgänsberger W, Brenneisen R, Berthele A, Wotjak CT, Bandelow B, Tölle TR, Lutz B. Chronic Pain and the Endocannabinoid System: Smart Lipids - A Novel Therapeutic Option? Med Cannabis Cannabinoids 2022; 5:61-75. [PMID: 35702403 PMCID: PMC9149512 DOI: 10.1159/000522432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of a high-end cannabinoid-based therapy is the result of intense translational research, aiming to convert recent discoveries in the laboratory into better treatments for patients. Novel compounds and new regimes for drug treatment are emerging. Given that previously unreported signaling mechanisms for cannabinoids have been uncovered, clinical studies detailing their high therapeutic potential are mandatory. The advent of novel genomic, optogenetic, and viral tracing and imaging techniques will help to further detail therapeutically relevant functional and structural features. An evolutionarily highly conserved group of neuromodulatory lipids, their receptors, and anabolic and catabolic enzymes are involved in a remarkable variety of physiological and pathological processes and has been termed the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A large body of data has emerged in recent years, pointing to a crucial role of this system in the regulation of the behavioral domains of acquired fear, anxiety, and stress-coping. Besides neurons, also glia cells and components of the immune system can differentially fine-tune patterns of neuronal activity. Dysregulation of ECS signaling can lead to a lowering of stress resilience and increased incidence of psychiatric disorders. Chronic pain may be understood as a disease process evoked by fear-conditioned nociceptive input and appears as the dark side of neuronal plasticity. By taking a toll on every part of your life, this abnormal persistent memory of an aversive state can be more damaging than its initial experience. All strategies for the treatment of chronic pain conditions must consider stress-related comorbid conditions since cognitive factors such as beliefs, expectations, and prior experience (memory of pain) are key modulators of the perception of pain. The anxiolytic and anti-stress effects of medical cannabinoids can substantially modulate the efficacy and tolerability of therapeutic interventions and will help to pave the way to a successful multimodal therapy. Why some individuals are more susceptible to the effects of stress remains to be uncovered. The development of personalized prevention or treatment strategies for anxiety and depression related to chronic pain must also consider gender differences. An emotional basis of chronic pain opens a new horizon of opportunities for developing treatment strategies beyond the repeated sole use of acutely acting analgesics. A phase I trial to determine the pharmacokinetics, psychotropic effects, and safety profile of a novel nanoparticle-based cannabinoid spray for oromucosal delivery highlights a remarkable innovation in galenic technology and urges clinical studies further detailing the huge therapeutic potential of medical cannabis (Lorenzl et al.; this issue).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Borwin Bandelow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cabañero D, Álvarez-Pérez B, Martín-García E, Maldonado R. Operant Self-medication for Assessment of Spontaneous Pain Relief and Drug Abuse Liability in Mouse Models of Chronic Pain. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4348. [PMID: 35592600 PMCID: PMC8918227 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4348] [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: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for safe and efficient chronic pain treatments is dampened by the lack of reliable models that faithfully reproduce current pharmacological treatments for chronic spontaneous pain in humans. Preclinical models often assess the antinociceptive efficacy of non-contingent pharmacological treatments evaluated in the short-term. Here, we provide a protocol of contingent operant self-medication in mice, which allows the estimation of spontaneous pain relief and drug abuse liability in models of persistent pain. This paradigm requires preliminary habituation and animal handling, followed by training of mice in operant conditioning boxes, to allow subsequent analgesic drug self-administration. After the initial acquisition of food-maintained operant behavior, a chronic pain sensitization is induced. Posterior intravenous jugular catheterization and coupling of operant conditioning boxes to perfusion pumps allow quantification of operant responding for intravenous drug self-administration. All mice show an initial operant drug self-administration behavior associated with the previous food-maintained operant training. This initial operant responding is extinguished after administration of ineffective treatments, but continues when the compounds have analgesic efficacy or intrinsic reinforcing properties. The identification of a significant drug self-administration selectively expressed in mice exposed to the chronic pain condition is indicative of analgesic drug effects, whereas persistent self-administration in control mice is indicative of abuse liability. The present protocol provides the behavioral and surgical procedures needed to assess spontaneous pain relief and potential for abuse of pharmacological treatments, through contingent analgesic self-medication in mice. Graphic abstract: Experimental design. Animals are subjected to a 5-day food self-administration protocol with a fixed ratio of reinforcement of 1 (FR1, 1 interaction with the active nose-poke causes the release of 1 reinforcer/infusion), to acquire the operant behavior. After this training, mice are subjected to the chronic pain or sham procedure, and four days later an intravenous (i.v.) catheterization is performed, to allow self-administration with the selected compound or its vehicle. Three days after the catheterization, animals start the drug/vehicle self-administration protocol at FR1. The patency of the catheter is evaluated with the thiopental test after the last self-administration session. Adapted from Bura et al. (2018).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Cabañero
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
,
*For correspondence: ;
| | - Beltrán Álvarez-Pérez
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Martín-García
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
,
*For correspondence: ;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
van den Hoogen NJ, Harding EK, Davidson CED, Trang T. Cannabinoids in Chronic Pain: Therapeutic Potential Through Microglia Modulation. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:816747. [PMID: 35069129 PMCID: PMC8777271 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.816747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a complex sensory, cognitive, and emotional experience that imposes a great personal, psychological, and socioeconomic burden on patients. An estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide are afflicted with chronic pain, which is often difficult to treat and may be resistant to the potent pain-relieving effects of opioid analgesics. Attention has therefore focused on advancing new pain therapies directed at the cannabinoid system because of its key role in pain modulation. Endocannabinoids and exogenous cannabinoids exert their actions primarily through Gi/o-protein coupled cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors expressed throughout the nervous system. CB1 receptors are found at key nodes along the pain pathway and their activity gates both the sensory and affective components of pain. CB2 receptors are typically expressed at low levels on microglia, astrocytes, and peripheral immune cells. In chronic pain states, there is a marked increase in CB2 expression which modulates the activity of these central and peripheral immune cells with important consequences for the surrounding pain circuitry. Growing evidence indicate that interventions targeting CB1 or CB2 receptors improve pain outcomes in a variety of preclinical pain models. In this mini-review, we will highlight recent advances in understanding how cannabinoids modulate microglia function and its implications for cannabinoid-mediated analgesia, focusing on microglia-neuron interactions within the spinal nociceptive circuitry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nynke J. van den Hoogen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Erika K. Harding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Chloé E. D. Davidson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tuan Trang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Tuan Trang
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ospelnikova T, Shitova A, Voskresenskaya O, Ermilova E. Neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of central neuropathic pain. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2022; 122:7-13. [DOI: 10.17116/jnevro20221220617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
18
|
Duan W, Sun Y, Wu M, Zhang Z, Zhang T, Wang H, Li F, Yang L, Xu Y, Liu ZJ, Hua T, Nie H, Cheng J. Carbon-silicon switch led to the discovery of novel synthetic cannabinoids with therapeutic effects in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113878. [PMID: 34634742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoids are widely studied as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases. Among them, THC and CBD are two important phytocannabinoids which have served as structural templates for the design of synthetic analogs. In this study, we designed and synthesized a variety of novel cannabinoids based on the structural backbones of THC and CBD using the carbon-silicon switch strategy. A dimethyl silyl group was introduced as the tail group and two series of novel compounds were designed and synthesized, which showed a wide range of binding affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. Among them, compound 15b was identified as a non-selective CB1 and CB2 agonist and 38b as a selective agonist for the CB2 receptor. Preliminary screening showed that both compounds have improved metabolic stability than their carbon analogs and good in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles. Furthermore, both 15b and 38b significantly alleviated the phenotype of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Duan
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Meng Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Taotao Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Huan Wang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Fei Li
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Lingyun Yang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yueming Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Tian Hua
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Hong Nie
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hempel B, Xi ZX. Receptor mechanisms underlying the CNS effects of cannabinoids: CB 1 receptor and beyond. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 93:275-333. [PMID: 35341569 PMCID: PMC10709991 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis legalization continues to progress in many US states and other countries. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the major psychoactive constituent in cannabis underlying both its abuse potential and the majority of therapeutic applications. However, the neural mechanisms underlying cannabis action are not fully understood. In this chapter, we first review recent progress in cannabinoid receptor research, and then examine the acute CNS effects of Δ9-THC or other cannabinoids (WIN55212-2) with a focus on their receptor mechanisms. In experimental animals, Δ9-THC or WIN55212-2 produces classical pharmacological effects (analgesia, catalepsy, hypothermia, hypolocomotion), biphasic changes in affect (reward vs. aversion, anxiety vs. anxiety relief), and cognitive deficits (spatial learning and memory, short-term memory). Accumulating evidence indicates that activation of CB1Rs underlies the majority of Δ9-THC or WIN55121-2's pharmacological and behavioral effects. Unexpectedly, glutamatergic CB1Rs preferentially underlie cannabis action relative to GABAergic CB1Rs. Functional roles for CB1Rs expressed on astrocytes and mitochondria have also been uncovered. In addition, Δ9-THC or WIN55212-2 is an agonist at CB2R, GPR55 and PPARγ receptors and recent studies implicate these receptors in a number of their CNS effects. Other receptors (such as serotonin, opioid, and adenosine receptors) also modulate Δ9-THC's actions and their contributions are detailed. This chapter describes the neural mechanisms underlying cannabis action, which may lead to new discoveries in cannabis-based medication development for the treatment of cannabis use disorder and other human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Briana Hempel
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
He XH, Galaj E, Bi GH, He Y, Hempel B, Wang YL, Gardner EL, Xi ZX. β-caryophyllene, an FDA-Approved Food Additive, Inhibits Methamphetamine-Taking and Methamphetamine-Seeking Behaviors Possibly via CB2 and Non-CB2 Receptor Mechanisms. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:722476. [PMID: 34566647 PMCID: PMC8458938 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.722476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research indicates that brain cannabinoid CB2 receptors are involved in drug reward and addiction. However, it is unclear whether β-caryophyllene (BCP), a natural product with a CB2 receptor agonist profile, has therapeutic effects on methamphetamine (METH) abuse and dependence. In this study, we used animal models of self-administration, electrical brain-stimulation reward (BSR) and in vivo microdialysis to explore the effects of BCP on METH-taking and METH-seeking behavior. We found that systemic administration of BCP dose-dependently inhibited METH self-administration under both fixed-ratio and progressive-ratio reinforcement schedules in rats, indicating that BCP reduces METH reward, METH intake, and incentive motivation to seek and take METH. The attenuating effects of BCP were partially blocked by AM 630, a selective CB2 receptor antagonist. Genetic deletion of CB2 receptors in CB2-knockout (CB2-KO) mice also blocked low dose BCP-induced reduction in METH self-administration, suggesting possible involvement of a CB2 receptor mechanism. However, at high doses, BCP produced a reduction in METH self-administration in CB2-KO mice in a manner similar as in WT mice, suggesting that non-CB2 receptor mechanisms underlie high dose BCP-produced effects. In addition, BCP dose-dependently attenuated METH-enhanced electrical BSR and inhibited METH-primed and cue-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking in rats. In vivo microdialysis assays indicated that BCP alone did not produce a significant reduction in extracellular dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), while BCP pretreatment significantly reduced METH-induced increases in extracellular NAc DA in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting a DA-dependent mechanism involved in BCP action. Together, the present findings suggest that BCP might be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of METH use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Hu He
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China
| | - Ewa Galaj
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Guo-Hua Bi
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yi He
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Briana Hempel
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yan-Lin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China
| | - Eliot L Gardner
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cabañero D, Martín-García E, Maldonado R. The CB2 cannabinoid receptor as a therapeutic target in the central nervous system. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:659-676. [PMID: 34424117 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1971196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2r) represents a promising approach for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. These receptors were identified in peripheral tissues, but also in neurons in the central nervous system. New findings have highlighted the interest to target these central receptors to obtain therapeutic effects devoid of the classical cannabinoid side-effects. AREAS COVERED In this review, we searched PubMed (January 1991-May 2021), ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Library databases for articles, reviews and clinical trials. We first introduce the relevance of CB2r as a key component of the endocannabinoid system. We discuss CB2r interest as a possible novel target in the treatment of pain. This receptor has raised interest as a potential target for neurodegenerative disorders treatment, as we then discussed. Finally, we underline studies revealing a novel potential CB2r interest in mental disorders treatment. EXPERT OPINION In spite of the interest of targeting CB2r for pain, clinical trials evaluating CB2r agonist analgesic efficacy have currently failed. The preferential involvement of CB2r in preventing the development of chronic pain could influence the failure of clinical trials designed for the treatment of already established pain syndromes. Specific trials should be designed to target the prevention of chronic pain development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Cabañero
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández. Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Elena Martín-García
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.,IMIM (Hospital Del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.,IMIM (Hospital Del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hashiesh HM, Sharma C, Goyal SN, Jha NK, Ojha S. Pharmacological Properties, Therapeutic Potential and Molecular Mechanisms of JWH133, a CB2 Receptor-Selective Agonist. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:702675. [PMID: 34393784 PMCID: PMC8363263 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.702675] [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: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system has attracted attention as a pharmacological target for several pathological conditions. Cannabinoid (CB2)-selective agonists have been the focus of pharmacological studies because modulation of the CB2 receptor (CB2R) can be useful in the treatment of pain, inflammation, arthritis, addiction, and cancer among other possible therapeutic applications while circumventing CNS-related adverse effects. Increasing number of evidences from different independent preclinical studies have suggested new perspectives on the involvement of CB2R signaling in inflammation, infection and immunity, thus play important role in cancer, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic and metabolic diseases. JWH133 is a synthetic agonist with high CB2R selectivity and showed to exert CB2R mediated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, nephroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. Cumulative evidences suggest that JWH133 protects against hepatic injury, renal injury, cardiotoxicity, fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer as well as against oxidative damage and inflammation, inhibits fibrosis and apoptosis, and acts as an immunosuppressant. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the polypharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of JWH133. This review also presents molecular mechanism and signaling pathways of JWH133 under various pathological conditions except neurological diseases. Based on the available data, this review proposes the possibilities of developing JWH133 as a promising therapeutic agent; however, further safety and toxicity studies in preclinical studies and clinical trials in humans are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hebaallah Mamdouh Hashiesh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Charu Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sameer N Goyal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hashiesh HM, Jha NK, Sharma C, Gupta PK, Jha SK, Patil CR, Goyal SN, Ojha SK. Pharmacological potential of JWH133, a cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist in neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 909:174398. [PMID: 34332924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174398] [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: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
The pharmacological activation of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2R) gained attention due to its ability to mitigate neuroinflammatory events without eliciting psychotropic actions, a limiting factor for the drugs targeting cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R). Therefore, ligands activating CB2R are receiving enormous importance for therapeutic targeting in numerous neurological diseases including neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders as well as traumatic injuries and neuropathic pain where neuroinflammation is a common accompaniment. Since the characterization of CB2R, many CB2R selective synthetic ligands have been developed with high selectivity and functional activity. Among numerous ligands, JWH133 has been found one of the compounds with high selectivity for CB2R. JWH133 has been reported to exhibit numerous pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, nephroprotective, and immunomodulatory. Recent studies have shown that JWH133 possesses potent neuroprotective properties in several neurological disorders, including neuropathic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, depression, alcoholism, psychosis, stroke, and neurodegeneration. Additionally, JWH133 showed to protect neurons from oxidative damage and inflammation, promote neuronal survival and neurogenesis, and serve as an immunomodulatory agent. The present review comprehensively examined neuropharmacological activities of JWH133 in neurological disorders including neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric using synoptic tables and elucidated pharmacological mechanisms based on reported observations. Considering the cumulative data, JWH133 appears to be a promising CB2R agonist molecule for further evaluation and it can be a prototype agent in drug discovery and development for a unique class of agents in neurotherapeutics. Further, regulatory toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies are required to determine safety and proceed for clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hebaallah Mamdouh Hashiesh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India
| | - Charu Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department of Life Science, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India
| | - Chandragouda R Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research University, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, 110017, India
| | - Sameer N Goyal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shreesh K Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box - 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Navarro G, Gonzalez A, Sánchez-Morales A, Casajuana-Martin N, Gómez-Ventura M, Cordomí A, Busqué F, Alibés R, Pardo L, Franco R. Design of Negative and Positive Allosteric Modulators of the Cannabinoid CB 2 Receptor Derived from the Natural Product Cannabidiol. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9354-9364. [PMID: 34161090 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), the second most abundant of the active compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant, is of increasing interest because it is approved for human use and is neither euphorizing nor addictive. Here, we design and synthesize novel compounds taking into account that CBD is both a partial agonist, when it binds to the orthosteric site, and a negative allosteric modulator, when it binds to the allosteric site of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor. Molecular dynamic simulations and site-directed mutagenesis studies have identified the allosteric site near the receptor entrance. This knowledge has permitted to perform structure-guided design of negative and positive allosteric modulators of the CB2 receptor with potential therapeutic utility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrià Sánchez-Morales
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nil Casajuana-Martin
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Gómez-Ventura
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnau Cordomí
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Félix Busqué
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Alibés
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Franco
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kappa opioid receptor modulation of endometriosis pain in mice. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108677. [PMID: 34153313 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor is a constituent of the endogenous opioid analgesia system widely expressed in somatosensory nervous pathways and also in endometrial tissues. This work investigates the possible involvement of kappa opioid receptor on the nociceptive, behavioral and histopathological manifestations of endometriosis in a murine model. Female mice receiving endometrial implants develop a persistent mechanical hypersensitivity in the pelvic area that is stronger during the estrus phase of the estrous cycle. The kappa opioid receptor agonist U50,488H produces a dose-dependent relief of this mechanical hypersensitivity, regardless of the cycle phase. Repeated exposure to a low dose of U50,488H (1 mg/kg/day s.c. for one month) provides sustained relief of mechanical hypersensitivity, without tolerance development or sedative side effects. Interestingly, this treatment also inhibits a decreased rearing behavior associated with spontaneous pain or discomfort in endometriosis mice. This KOR-mediated pain relief does not prevent the anxiety-like behavior or the cognitive impairment exhibited by endometriosis mice, and the growth of endometriotic cysts is also unaltered. These data provide evidence of strong pain-relieving properties of kappa opioid receptor stimulation in female mice with endometriosis pain. The persistence of affective and cognitive manifestations suggests that these comorbidities are independent of pelvic pain and simultaneous treatment of these comorbidities may be necessary for successful management of endometriosis.
Collapse
|
26
|
Cabañero D, Maldonado R. Synergism between oral paracetamol and nefopam in a murine model of postoperative pain. Eur J Pain 2021; 25:1770-1787. [PMID: 33909343 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of paracetamol or nefopam for postoperative pain control is limited by the need of high doses associated with unwanted effects. Previous works suggest positive interactions between both compounds that may be exploited to obtain potentiation of antinociception. METHODS Mechanical and heat antinociception induced by oral doses of paracetamol, nefopam or their combination was studied by isobolographic analysis in a murine model of postsurgical pain. The effective doses that produced 50% antinociception (ED50 ) were calculated from the log dose-response curves for each compound. Subsequently, the effects of ED8.7 s, ED12.5 s, ED17.5 s and ED35 s of nefopam and paracetamol combined were assessed. RESULTS Oral paracetamol induced dose-dependent relief of postoperative sensitivity and showed higher efficacy reducing mechanical hypersensitivity (ED50 177.3 ± 15.4 mg/kg) than heat hyperalgesia (ED50 278.6 ± 43 mg/kg). Oral nefopam induced dose-dependent antinociception with similar efficacy for mechanical and heat hypersensitivity (ED50 s 5.42 ± 0.81 vs. 5.83 ± 0.72). Combinations of increasing isoeffective doses revealed that combined ED17.5 s (85.76 mg/kg paracetamol and 1.9 mg/kg nefopam) and ED35 s (132.67 mg/kg and 3.73 mg/kg) showed synergistic effects leading to 75% and 90% mechanical antinociception, respectively. These mixtures were defined by interaction indexes of 0.43 and 0.41 and ratios 45:1 and 35:1 paracetamol:nefopam, respectively. The same combinations showed additive effects for the inhibition of incisional thermal hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS This work describes a synergistic antinociceptive interaction between low doses of nefopam and paracetamol for the treatment of postoperative hypersensitivity to peripheral stimuli. The promising results obtained on reflexive nociceptive responses of young male mice subjected to plantar surgery highlight the interest of further research evaluating the effects of this mixture on the affective-motivational component of pain and in females and additional age groups. Confirmation of pain-relieving efficacy and safety of this oral combination clinically available in European and Asian countries could provide a useful tool for postsurgical pain management. SIGNIFICANCE Early postoperative pain is currently undertreated and has been recognized as a relevant source of chronic postsurgical pain. Oral efficient treatments could facilitate fast-track surgeries and patient recovery at home. Here, we identify in a mouse model of postoperative pain a potent synergistic oral combination consisting of low paracetamol and nefopam doses that provides relief of postsurgical hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli. Oral multimodal paracetamol-nefopam mixtures represent a potential clinically available pharmacological strategy for the relief of incisional sensitivity and the promotion of patient recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Cabañero
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.,IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Cook DC, Goldstein PA. Non-canonical Molecular Targets for Novel Analgesics: Intracellular Calcium and HCN Channels. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:1937-1951. [PMID: 33463473 PMCID: PMC9185781 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210119153047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a prevalent biopsychosocial condition that poses a significant challenge to healthcare providers, contributes substantially to a disability, and is a major economic burden worldwide. An overreliance on opioid analgesics, which primarily target the μ-opioid receptor, has caused devastating morbidity and mortality in the form of misuse and overdose-related death. Thus, novel analgesic medications are needed that can effectively treat pain and provide an alternative to opioids. A variety of cellular ion channels contribute to nociception, the response of the sensory nervous system to a noxious stimulus that commonly leads to pain. Ion channels involved in nociception may provide a suitable target for pharmacologic modulation to achieve pain relief. This narrative review summarizes the evidence for two ion channels that merit consideration as targets for non-opioid pain medications: ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which are intracellular calcium channels, and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which belong to the superfamily of voltage-gated K+ channels. The role of these channels in nociception and neuropathic pain is discussed and suitability as targets for novel analgesics and antihyperalgesics is considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C. Cook
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Peter A. Goldstein
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Komorowska-Müller JA, Schmöle AC. CB2 Receptor in Microglia: The Guardian of Self-Control. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:E19. [PMID: 33375006 PMCID: PMC7792761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are key to maintaining the homeostasis of the brain. These immune cells of the brain can be our biggest ally in fighting infections, but can worsen pathology or hinder recovery when uncontrolled. Thus, understanding how microglia contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and how their activity can be controlled is of great importance. It is known that activation of endocannabinoid system, and especially the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), decreases inflammation. Alongside its non-psychoactive effect, it makes the CB2R receptor a perfect target for treating diseases accompanied by neuroinflammation including neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact mechanisms by which CB2R regulates microglial activity are not yet understood. Here, we review the current knowledge on the roles of microglial CB2R from in vitro and in vivo studies. We look into CB2R function under physiological and pathological conditions and focus on four different disease models representing chronic and acute inflammation. We highlight open questions and controversies and provide an update on the latest discoveries that were enabled by the development of novel technologies. Also, we discuss the recent findings on the role of microglia CB2R in cognition and its role in neuron-microglia communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Agnieszka Komorowska-Müller
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
- International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, University of Bonn, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anne-Caroline Schmöle
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu QR, Canseco-Alba A, Liang Y, Ishiguro H, Onaivi ES. Low Basal CB2R in Dopamine Neurons and Microglia Influences Cannabinoid Tetrad Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9763. [PMID: 33371336 PMCID: PMC7767340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are two well-characterized cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R and other candidates): the central nervous system (CNS) enriched CB1R and peripheral tissue enriched CB2R with a wide dynamic range of expression levels in different cell types of human tissues. Hepatocytes and neurons express low baseline CB1R and CB2R, respectively, and their cell-type-specific functions are not well defined. Here we report inducible expression of CB1R in the liver by high-fat and high sugar diet and CB2R in cortical neurons by methamphetamine. While there is less controversy about hepatocyte CB1R, the presence of functional neuronal CB2R is still debated to date. We found that neuron CB2R basal expression was higher than that of hepatocyte CB1R by measuring mRNA levels of specific isoform CB2A in neurons isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and CB1A in hepatocytes isolated by collagenase perfusion of liver. For in vivo studies, we generated hepatocyte, dopaminergic neuron, and microglia-specific conditional knockout mice (Abl-Cnr1Δ, Dat-Cnr2Δ, and Cx3cr1-Cnr2Δ) of CB1R and CB2R by crossing Cnr1f/f and Cnr2f/f strains to Abl-Cre, Dat-Cre, and Cx3cr1-Cre deleter mouse strains, respectively. Our data reveals that neuron and microglia CB2Rs are involved in the "tetrad" effects of the mixed agonist WIN 55212-2, CB1R selective agonist arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide (ACEA), and CB2R selective agonist JWH133. Dat-Cnr2Δ and Cx3cr1-Cnr2Δ mice showed genotypic differences in hypomobility, hypothermia, analgesia, and catalepsy induced by the synthetic cannabinoids. Alcohol conditioned place preference was abolished in DAT-Cnr2Δ mice and remained intact in Cx3cr1-Cnr2Δ mice in comparison to WT mice. These Cre-loxP recombinant mouse lines provide unique approaches in cannabinoid research for dissecting the complex endocannabinoid system that is implicated in many chronic disorders.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Cannabinoids/pharmacology
- Dopaminergic Neurons/drug effects
- Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Microglia/drug effects
- Microglia/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/physiology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/physiology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Rong Liu
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ana Canseco-Alba
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA;
| | - Ying Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China;
| | - Hiroki Ishiguro
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan;
| | - Emmanuel S. Onaivi
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA;
| |
Collapse
|