TY - JOUR
T1 - The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic implications in rheumatoid arthritis
AU - Gui, Huan
AU - Tong, Qiang
AU - Qu, Wenchun
AU - Mao, Chen Mei
AU - Dai, Sheng Ming
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/5
Y1 - 2015/5
N2 - Abstract Since the discovery of the endogenous receptor for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a main constituent of marijuana, the endocannabinoid system (comprising cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, as well as the enzymes involved in their metabolic processes) has been implicated as having multiple regulatory functions in many central and peripheral conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that is associated with the involvement of many kinds of cells (such as fibroblastlike synoviocytes [FLSs], osteoclasts, T cells, B cells, and macrophages) and molecules (such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], and chemokines). Increasing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system, especially cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), has an important role in the pathophysiology of RA. Many members of the endocannabinoid system are reported to inhibit synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, and cartilage destruction in RA. In particular, specific activation of CB2 may relieve RA by inhibiting not only the production of autoantibodies, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs, but also bone erosion, immune response mediated by T cells, and the proliferation of FLSs. In this review, we will discuss the possible functions of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of RA, which may be a potential target for treatment.
AB - Abstract Since the discovery of the endogenous receptor for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a main constituent of marijuana, the endocannabinoid system (comprising cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, as well as the enzymes involved in their metabolic processes) has been implicated as having multiple regulatory functions in many central and peripheral conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that is associated with the involvement of many kinds of cells (such as fibroblastlike synoviocytes [FLSs], osteoclasts, T cells, B cells, and macrophages) and molecules (such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], and chemokines). Increasing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system, especially cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), has an important role in the pathophysiology of RA. Many members of the endocannabinoid system are reported to inhibit synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, and cartilage destruction in RA. In particular, specific activation of CB2 may relieve RA by inhibiting not only the production of autoantibodies, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs, but also bone erosion, immune response mediated by T cells, and the proliferation of FLSs. In this review, we will discuss the possible functions of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of RA, which may be a potential target for treatment.
KW - Cannabinoid receptors
KW - Drug therapy
KW - Endocannabinoid system
KW - Endocannabinoids
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84925428378&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84925428378&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.03.006
DO - 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.03.006
M3 - Review article
C2 - 25791728
AN - SCOPUS:84925428378
SN - 1567-5769
VL - 26
SP - 86
EP - 91
JO - International Immunopharmacology
JF - International Immunopharmacology
IS - 1
M1 - 3589
ER -