Identification and functional characterization of brainstem cannabinoid CB2 receptors.
The presence and function of CB2 receptors in central nervous system (CNS) neurons are controversial. We report the expression of CB2 receptor messenger RNA and protein localization on brainstem neurons. These functional CB2 receptors in the brainstem were activated by a CB2 receptor agonist, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and by elevated endogenous levels of endocannabinoids, which also act at CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors represent an alternative site of action of endocannabinoids that opens the possibility of nonpsychotropic therapeutic interventions using enhanced endocannabinoid levels in localized brain areas.
Van Sickle
Marja D
MD
Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1.
Duncan
Marnie
M
Kingsley
Philip J
PJ
Mouihate
Abdeslam
A
Urbani
Paolo
P
Mackie
Ken
K
Stella
Nephi
N
Makriyannis
Alexandros
A
Piomelli
Daniele
D
Davison
Joseph S
JS
Marnett
Lawrence J
LJ
Di Marzo
Vincenzo
V
Pittman
Quentin J
QJ
Patel
Kamala D
KD
Sharkey
Keith A
KA
D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000378:metabolism*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005289:Ferrets; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; C078814:anandamide