Jacob Bell
New Member
James E. Gern
Pediatrics 2008;122;S200
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-2139VV
Karsak M, Gaffal E, Date R, et al. Science.
2007;316(5830):1494—1497
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To assess the role of cannabinoid receptors
in allergic contact dermatitis.
STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS. The study was conducted in
an animal model for cutaneous contact hypersensitivity
using wild-type mice and also those lacking cannabinoid
receptors (CB1 and CB2).
RESULTS. Mice lacking both known cannabinoid receptors
display exacerbated allergic inflammation. In contrast,
fatty acid amide hydrolase—deficient mice, which have
increased levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide,
displayed reduced allergic responses in the skin. Cannabinoid
receptor antagonists exacerbated allergic inflammation,
whereas receptor agonists attenuated inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS. These results demonstrate a protective role
of the endocannabinoid system for contact allergy in the
skin and suggest a target for therapeutic intervention.
REVIEWER COMMENTS. This very clever study was based on an
observation that mice lacking cannabinoid receptors
tended to develop an itchy dermatitis at the site of nickel-
containing ear tags. From this simple observation, the
authors conducted a series of well-designed experiments
that demonstrated that the cannabinoid receptors help
to regulate cell recruitment to sites of inflammation in
the context of contact dermatitis. These results have led
to new insights to the pathogenesis of this disorder and
may lead to a new treatment for contact dermatitis. I
wonder if cannabinoid receptors are involved in other
forms of skin allergy.
Source: Attenuation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Through the Endocannabinoid System
Pediatrics 2008;122;S200
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-2139VV
Karsak M, Gaffal E, Date R, et al. Science.
2007;316(5830):1494—1497
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To assess the role of cannabinoid receptors
in allergic contact dermatitis.
STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS. The study was conducted in
an animal model for cutaneous contact hypersensitivity
using wild-type mice and also those lacking cannabinoid
receptors (CB1 and CB2).
RESULTS. Mice lacking both known cannabinoid receptors
display exacerbated allergic inflammation. In contrast,
fatty acid amide hydrolase—deficient mice, which have
increased levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide,
displayed reduced allergic responses in the skin. Cannabinoid
receptor antagonists exacerbated allergic inflammation,
whereas receptor agonists attenuated inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS. These results demonstrate a protective role
of the endocannabinoid system for contact allergy in the
skin and suggest a target for therapeutic intervention.
REVIEWER COMMENTS. This very clever study was based on an
observation that mice lacking cannabinoid receptors
tended to develop an itchy dermatitis at the site of nickel-
containing ear tags. From this simple observation, the
authors conducted a series of well-designed experiments
that demonstrated that the cannabinoid receptors help
to regulate cell recruitment to sites of inflammation in
the context of contact dermatitis. These results have led
to new insights to the pathogenesis of this disorder and
may lead to a new treatment for contact dermatitis. I
wonder if cannabinoid receptors are involved in other
forms of skin allergy.
Source: Attenuation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Through the Endocannabinoid System
