title: Regulation of cannabinoid receptor gene expression and endocannabinoid levels in lymphocyte subsets by interferon-β: a longitudinal study in multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: Evidence suggests the involvement of the cannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied cannabinoid receptor (CB)1 and CB2 receptor gene expression in B, natural killer (NK) and T cells from MS patients before and after 1 year of interferon beta therapy, and compared these levels to those of healthy controls. We also measured the production of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and the gene expression of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in these cells. Prior to interferon therapy, MS patients showed significantly elevated CB2 expression in B cells, but not in T or NK cells. These levels decreased gradually within 6 months to 1 year of interferon treatment. CB1 expression was elevated in all cell subsets, but only reached statistical significance in T cells; all levels decreased progressively over time. Before treatment, AEA but not 2-AG levels were significantly elevated in the three cell populations; after 1 year of treatment, all values decreased to control levels. The expression of FAAH was unchanged. The different expression of cannabinoid receptor genes and the increased level of AEA in lymphocytes point to a possible role of the cannabinoid system in MS immune response and its modulation by interferon.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda - Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sánchez López
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Román-Vega
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ramil Tojeiro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Merino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000235:genetics; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D000581:Amidohydrolases; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D016899:Interferon-beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
keywords: cannabinoid receptors; endocannabinoids; interferon beta; multiple sclerosis