The Emerging Role of the Cannabinoid Receptor Family in Peripheral and Neuro-immune Interactions

Title:The Emerging Role of the Cannabinoid Receptor Family in Peripheral and Neuro-immune Interactions

Volume: 17 Issue: 16

Author(s): Orla Haugh, June Penman, Andrew J. Irving and Veronica A. Campbell

Affiliation:

Keywords: Cannabinoid, endocannabinoid, GPR55, GPR18, inflammation, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration.

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.

Cite this article as:

Haugh Orla, Penman June, Irving J. Andrew and Campbell A. Veronica, The Emerging Role of the Cannabinoid Receptor Family in Peripheral and Neuro-immune Interactions, Current Drug Targets 2016; 17 (16) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450117666160112113703