title: The Emerging Role of the Cannabinoid Receptor Family in Peripheral and Neuro-immune Interactions.
abstract: The classical endogenous cannabinoid (CB) system is composed of the endocannabinoid signalling molecules, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA) and their G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), CB1 and CB2 which together constitutes the endocannabinoid system (ECS). However, putative, novel lipid-sensing CB receptors have recently been identified, including the orphan GPR55 and GPR18 receptors that are regulated by cannabinoid-like molecules and interact with CB system. CB receptors and associated orphan GPCRs are expressed at high levels in the immune and/or central nervous systems (CNS) and regulate a number of neurophysiological processes, including key events involved in neuroinflammation. As such, these receptors have been identified as emerging therapeutic targets for a number of brain disorders in which neuroinflammation is a key feature, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review will consider the role of the wider cannabinoid receptor superfamily in mediating immune function with a focus on the immune processes that contribute to neuroinflammatory conditions.
authors.forename: Orla
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Haugh
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penman
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Veronica A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism*; D005810:Multigene Family; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled