title: Opposing control of cannabinoid receptor stimulation on amyloid-beta-induced reactive gliosis: in vitro and in vivo evidence.
abstract: Beside cytotoxic mechanisms impacting on neurons, amyloid beta (A beta)-induced astroglial activation is operative in Alzheimer's disease brain, suggesting that persistent inflammatory response may have a role in the illness and that positive results may be achieved by curbing the astroglial reaction. Because the role of the endocannabinoid system could represent a promising field of research, the present study conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess this system. C6 rat astroglioma cells were challenged with 1 microg/ml A beta 1-42 in the presence or absence of selective agonists and antagonists of cannabinoid (CB)1 and CB2 receptors. Furthermore, rats were inoculated into the frontal cortex with 30 ng of A beta 1-42 and were i.p. administered with 5 mg/kg of the same substances. Immunohistochemical and biochemical findings revealed that selective agonism at CB1 and antagonism at CB2 receptors was able to blunt A beta-induced reactive astrogliosis with subsequent overexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100B protein. Moreover, A beta provoked down-regulation of CB1 receptors together with a reduction of anandamide concentration, whereas CB2 receptors were up-regulated and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol concentration was increased. Finally, to our knowledge, the current study is the first showing that interactions at cannabinoid receptors result in a dual regulation of A beta-induced reactive astrogliosis. The data support the assumption that compounds able to selectively block CB2 receptors may have therapeutic potential in controlling A beta-related pathology, due to their beneficial effects devoid of psychotropic consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iuvone
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Savani
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scuderi
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Filippis
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Marzo
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steardo
mesh_terms: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005911:Gliosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000819:agonists*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; C078814:anandamide