CB₂ receptor‐mediated migration of immune cells: it can go either way

Abstract

Though many studies have examined the role of CB 2 receptors in immune cell migration, it has been difficult to form definitive conclusions about the physiopathological role of these receptors in regulating immune responses and how this might be pharmacologically targeted for therapy. Do cannabinoids promote inflammation through the recruitment of immune cells, or reduce inflammation by interfering with the action of other chemoattractants? Is therapeutic intervention with an agonist or antagonist more appropriate for the reduction of inflammation? In this review, we will summarize the progress that has been made in answering these questions and outline current hypotheses.

Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Modulates Susceptibility to Experimental Cerebral Malaria through a CCL17-dependent Mechanism

“…It was suggested that CB2 could act as a chemokine receptor and is therefore functionally involved in immune cell trafficking (41)(42)(43)(44). Here we showed that CB2 controls the recruitment of peripheral immune cells into the brain during ECM.…”

The Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoyl-Glycerol Activates Human Neutrophils: Critical Role of Its Hydrolysis and De Novo Leukotriene B4 Biosynthesis

“…We favored this approach because eosinophils express the CB 2 receptor (26). Given the strong mRNA expression of CB 2 receptor in human eosinophils, it is possible that they were involved in the previously observed CB 2 expression by neutrophils (48)(49)(50). Additionally, it is noteworthy that the use of CB receptor Abs can be misleading (50,51).…”

Rimonabant reduces keratinocyte viability by induction of apoptosis and exerts topical anti‐inflammatory activity in mice

“…Nonetheless, we very recently provided evidence that rimonabant increases human sperm motility and viability (Aquila et al, 2010). Numerous findings suggested the role of the endocannabinoid system in the control of immunity, reporting the involvement of cannabinoid receptors in immune cell migration (Miller and Stella, 2008) and the efficacy of cannabinoid agonists as antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents (Guindon and Hohmann, 2008). We recently demonstrated the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of rimonabant on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, showing inhibition of proliferation without induction of apoptosis, block of the G1/S phase of the cell cycle and modulation of the signalling kinases serine/threonine protein kinase Akt (Akt) and the extracellular signal regulated kinase, the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and its inhibitor (IkB) and the inducible enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase .…”