Cannabinoids and Neuroinflammation

[Julie Gardener]

Cannabinoids and Neuroinflammation​

Lisa Walter and Nephi Stella
Br J Pharmacol. 2004 March; 141(5): 775—785.
11Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A.
22Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A.
*Author for correspondence: Email: nstella@u.washington.edu
Received October 8, 2003; Revised November 7, 2003; Accepted December 11, 2003.
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that a major physiological function of the cannabinoid signaling system is to modulate neuroinflammation. This review discusses the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoid compounds at molecular, cellular and whole animal levels, first by examining the evidence for anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids obtained using in vivo animal models of clinical neuroinflammatory conditions, specifically rodent models of multiple sclerosis, and second by describing the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system components in immune cells. Our aim is to identify immune functions modulated by cannabinoids that could account for their anti-inflammatory effects in these animal models.

Introduction

Inflammation is an active defense reaction against diverse insults, designed to remove or inactivate noxious agents and to inhibit their detrimental effects. Although inflammation serves as a protective function in controlling infections and promoting tissue repair, it can also cause tissue damage and disease. Many cell types involved in this process express components of the cannabinoid signaling system that can be endogenously or pharmacologically controlled. Here, we propose to review this evidence; specifically, evidence showing that cannabinoids inhibit neuroinflammation and that immune cells express the entire machinery that constitutes a functional cannabinoid signaling system.

Two cannabinoid G protein-coupled receptors have been cloned thus far, CB1 receptors (Matsuda et al., 1990), expressed primarily by neurons, and CB2 receptors (Munro et al., 1993), expressed primarily by immune cells. Aside from these two receptors, evidence exists supporting the presence of yet uncloned cannabinoid receptors, a hypothesis predominantly based on pharmacological activity of cannabinoid compounds in CB1 and CB2 receptor-deficient mice or following the administration of 'selective' CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists (Jarai et al., 1999; Di Marzo et al., 2000; Breivogel et al., 2001; Hajos & Freund, 2002; Begg et al., 2003). Here cannabinoids are defined as ingredients of the cannabis plant or other compounds that bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors, and Table 1 summarizes their pharmacological properties.

Table 1
Pharmacology of cannabinoid compounds

Following the cloning of CB1 and CB2 receptors, two endocannabinoid ligands were identified and characterized: arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide) (Devane et al., 1992) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) (Mechoulam et al., 1995; Sugiura et al., 1995). There are notable studies showing the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoid-like compounds, such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolites and the endogenous compound palmitoylethanolamide. Since these compounds do not act through known cannabinoid receptors (Dajani et al., 1999; Lambert et al., 1999; Franklin et al., 2003; Zurier et al., 2003), we will only discuss them briefly here.

Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects in animal models of neuroinflammation

CNS inflammation occurs in myelin degenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) (reviewed in Martino et al., 2002) and also in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (McGeer & Rogers, 1992), HIV encephalopathy (Gendelman et al., 1994), ischemia (Chopp et al., 1994), and traumatic brain injury (Dusart & Schwab, 1994). In order to understand the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoids in clinical neuroinflammation, it is necessary to examine their anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. We chose to focus on MS because it is characterized by relapsing-remitting and chronic inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), and cannabinoids have been shown to affect its pathogenesis.

Owing to the histological similarities with MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely used animal model of this clinical disease (reviewed in Zamvil & Steinman, 1990). Initiation and maintenance of EAE result from T lymphocytes becoming sensitized to myelin proteins and eliciting a cell-mediated immune response. The subsequent pathology involves demyelination and a progression of inflammation in the CNS. To date, several independent studies performed on various rodent models of MS show that cannabinoids influence the course of disease progression.

The earlier studies focused on the effectiveness of cannabinoids in the treatment of rodents with EAE over a period of weeks. Lyman et al. (1989) administered THC or vehicle to guinea-pigs and rats once daily beginning either several days before or following inoculation with EAE. In animals given THC prior to inoculation, full clinical development of EAE was prevented, suggesting that THC suppressed the immune system (Lyman et al., 1989). In animals given THC after inoculation, onset of symptoms was delayed and clinical index was lowered (Lyman et al., 1989). Histological examination of spinal cords yielded significantly less inflammation in THC-treated animals (Lyman et al., 1989). Wirguin et al. (1994) administered Δ8-THC or vehicle daily to rats with EAE beginning several days prior to symptom onset. Δ8-THC-treated animals had a delayed symptom onset, lowered incidence of EAE, and a shorter mean duration of EAE, but not a lower mean severity of disease (Wirguin et al., 1994). Histological evaluation of microglia and astrocytes did not reveal any differences in the presence or distribution of these cells between treated and untreated animals (Wirguin et al., 1994). The effects of cannabinoids on glial cell function in this model were not examined.

Later work on this topic examined cannabinoids as an acute treatment of symptoms associated with MS, that is, the immediate effects of cannabinoids on spasticity and tremor. In mice with EAE, WIN55212-2, THC, methanandamide, and JWH-133, but not cannabidiol, relieved these symptoms within 1 to 10 min of administration, and the effects lasted up to 1 h (Baker et al., 2000). The effects of WIN55212-2 were reversed by treatment with cannabinoid receptor antagonists SR141716A and SR144528, and these two compounds administered alone worsened symptoms (Baker et al., 2000). Here, since a CB2 receptor agonist and a CB2 receptor antagonist influenced these symptoms, these results again point towards an anti-inflammatory effect of cannabinoids because CB2 receptors are expressed mainly on immune cells.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection of the CNS induces an immune-mediated demyelinating disease in susceptible mouse strains and serves as another model for human MS (dal Canto & Lipton, 1977). To examine the effects of cannabinoid compounds over several weeks in this model, Arevalo-Martin et al. (2003) administered cannabinoid agonists WIN55212-2, ACEA, and JWH-015 daily for 10 days following TMEV infection but prior to symptoms. These drugs improved motor function, decreased the number of activated microglia in the spinal cord, decreased major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) expression, decreased the number of CD4+ T cells in spinal cord, and promoted spinal cord remyelination (Arevalo-Martin et al., 2003). Another group administered WIN55212-2 daily for 5 days to mice with TMEV beginning either prior to symptoms, at symptom onset, or several days after symptom onset (Croxford & Miller, 2003). Clinical disease symptoms were decreased under all these conditions (Croxford & Miller, 2003). WIN55212-2 increased susceptibility of mice to TMEV infection, suggesting an immunosuppressive effect, but it had no effect on splenic cell populations (Croxford & Miller, 2003). WIN55212-2 also decreased CNS mRNA encoding for proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in these mice (Croxford & Miller, 2003). (See Table 2 for a list of neuroinflammatory properties of cytokines.)

Table 2
Inflammatory properties of selected cytokines

In EAE animals, there is evidence suggesting that changes in cannabinoid receptor expression and function occur. Berrendero et al. (2001) found, compared to control animals, rats with EAE had decreased CB1 receptor binding in the cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen, and decreased CB1 receptor mRNA levels in caudate-putamen of EAE animals but not other brain regions. However, there was increased CB1 receptor activity in the cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen of EAE animals, suggesting that the remaining receptors in these areas may be more efficiently coupled to G protein-mediated signaling mechanisms (Berrendero et al., 2001).

Taking a more genetic approach to examining the cannabinoid system in EAE, Pryce et al. (2003) induced EAE in wild-type and CB1 receptor-deficient mice. No difference in day of onset or peak clinical score was detected between wild-type and CB1 receptor-deficient animals (Pryce et al., 2003). However, after EAE symptoms in wild-type animals had remitted, CB1 receptor-deficient animals still had a high mean clinical score (Pryce et al., 2003). In addition, disability was worse in the CB1 receptor-deficient animals. Spinal cord neurofilament levels were lower and spinal cord caspase-3 activity was higher in CB1 receptor-deficient animals (Pryce et al., 2003). These findings imply a role of cannabinoid receptors in ameliorating the progression of and symptoms associated with neuroinflammation.

The combined results of these studies show that cannabinoid agonists ameliorate symptoms both acutely and over several weeks in EAE and TMEV models of MS. In addition, CB1 receptor expression and function change in EAE and the absence of CB1 receptors worsens symptoms of EAE. Although these studies provide appealing insights into the effects of cannabinoids on neuroinflammation, a model of how these compounds work is still incomplete due to differences in compounds, animal models of MS, rodent species, routes of drug administration, and dosing schedules used. To gain a more complete understanding of the cells targeted by cannabinoid compounds and the downstream effects of cannabinoids on these cells, we must turn to studies performed at the cellular level. Do cells involved in neuroinflammation express cannabinoid receptors? What immune cell functions are regulated by cannabinoid receptor activation?

Glial cells express cannabinoid receptors

Cells in healthy brain do not express CB2 cannabinoid receptors (Munro et al., 1993; Griffin et al., 1999; Zimmer et al., 1999; Buckley et al., 2000). However, immune cells such as microglial cells, the macrophages of the brain, frequently alter levels of gene expression and express new gene products when stimulated with antigens and other bioactive substances. Chronic pain models associated with peripheral nerve injury induce CB2 receptor expression in the spinal cord, coinciding with the appearance of activated microglia (Zhang et al., 2003). An investigation on the presence of CB2 receptors in inflamed brain or spinal cord in a mouse model of neuroinflammation such as
MS remains to be carried out.

Microglia regulate the initiation and progression of immune responses in the CNS (reviewed in Carson & Sutcliffe, 1999). Primary cultures of rat and mouse microglia express both CB1 and CB2 receptor mRNA and protein (Sinha et al., 1998; Carlisle et al., 2002; Facchinetti et al., 2003; Walter et al., 2003a). Human microglia also express CB2 receptor mRNA (Klegeris et al., 2003). Primary mouse microglia express CB2 receptors at the leading edges of lamellipodia and microspikes (Walter et al., 2003a), suggesting a function in motility, discussed below. The proinflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which is produced by TH1 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in MS and EAE (reviewed in Popko et al., 1997), increases CB2 receptor mRNA and protein in rat microglia (Carlisle et al., 2002).

Astrocytes, the main glial cell type in the brain, help regulate aspects of inflammation in the CNS (reviewed in Dong & Benveniste, 2001) and may be involved in the pathogenesis of MS (reviewed in De Keyser et al., 2003). While evidence for CB1 receptor expression by astrocytes has been found by some groups (Bouaboula et al., 1995; Sanchez et al., 1998; Moldrich & Wenger, 2000; Abood et al., 2001; Rodriguez et al., 2001; Molina-Holgado et al., 2002b; Salio et al., 2002), it has not been found by others (Sagan et al., 1999; Walter & Stella, 2003b). These conflicting results may indicate variations in CB1 receptor expression due to differences in species, culture systems, CNS structures from which cultures are derived, ages of cultures, or activation levels of cells; CB2 receptor expression by astrocytes has not been found (Walter & Stella, 2003b). Oligodendrocytes, which undergo degeneration in MS and EAE (reviewed in Kornek & Lassman, 2003), also express CB1 and CB2 receptors (Molina-Holgado et al., 2002a).

Examples of all major types of glial cells expressing cannabinoid receptors exist and this may account for some of the anti-inflammatory effects seen with cannabinoids in rodent models of MS. While it is known that cannabinoid receptor expression is modulated by cytokines in microglial cells (Carlisle et al., 2002), it is not yet known if cannabinoid receptor expression is modulated in astrocytes or oligodendrocytes.

Glial cell function is modulated by cannabinoid compounds

Neuroinflammation induces a complex and dynamic change in glial cell phenotypes. One of the first cell types to respond is microglial cells, which retract their processes and migrate towards the site of injury, where they release proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6 (Kreutzberg, 1996; Bruce-Keller, 1999; Becher et al., 2000). In primary cultures of mouse microglia, 2-AG induces cell migration, and this is reversed by SR144528, cannabinol, and cannabidiol (Walter et al., 2003a). Perhaps under neuroinflammatory conditions, neurons or astrocytes produce endocannabinoids as a means of recruiting microglia (Walter et al., 2002, 2003a; Walter & Stella, 2003b).

Nitric oxide (NO) production by glial cells is also associated with immune-mediated cellular cytotoxicity and pathogenesis of MS and EAE (reviewed in Parkinson et al., 1997). CP55940 inhibits NO production in IFN-γ- and lipopolysaccharide- (LPS, a bacterial cell wall molecule) stimulated rat microglia (Waksman et al., 1999; Cabral et al., 2001). Primary cultures of rat microglia activated by LPS release TNFα, and this is inhibited by anandamide, 2-AG, WIN55212-2, CP55940, and HU210, but SR141716A, AM251, and SR144528 do not alter WIN55212-2 effects (Facchinetti et al., 2003). THC reduces IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα production in LPS-stimulated rat microglia (Puffenbarger et al., 2000). JWH-015 treatment reduces toxicity of human microglia towards neurons (Klegeris et al., 2003). Taken together, these results suggest that cannabinoid agonists decrease neurotoxicity and release of proinflammatory cytokines from microglia. However, whether these effects are mediated through cannabinoid receptors or other mechanisms is unknown.

Less is known about how cannabinoids influence the function of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Anandamide enhances the release of IL-6 from astrocytes infected with TMEV, the virus that elicits a mouse model of MS, and this is blocked by SR141716A (Molina-Holgado et al., 1998). Anandamide inhibits the release of NO and TNFα in LPS- or TMEV-stimulated astrocytes (Molina-Holgado et al., 1997). CP55940 and anandamide inhibit the release of NO in LPS-activated mouse astrocytes, and this is blocked by treatment with SR141716A (Molina-Holgado et al., 2002b). Anandamide and THC increase arachidonic acid (AA) release from rat astrocytes, and these effects are reversed by SR141716A (Shivachar et al., 1996). In mouse mixed glial cultures, HU210 and CP55940 increase LPS-induced production of IL-1 receptor antagonist, an anti-inflammatory cytokine that blocks the actions of IL-1β, and SR141716A and SR144528 lower this response (Molina-Holgado et al., 2003). In oligodendrocytes, ACEA, HU210, and WIN55212-2 enhance cell survival, and these effects are sensitive to SR141716A, suggesting possible CB1 receptor involvement (Molina-Holgado et al., 2002a).

In summary, it is clear that microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes respond to cannabinoids, but this is an area that deserves further study to fully understand the cellular and tissue responses of CNS immune cells. Nevertheless, these studies suggest that some of the positive effects of cannabinoids in rodent models of MS may be due to an inhibition of proinflammatory mediator production from glia, an inhibition of microglial migration, and an enhancement of oligodendrocyte survival. It remains to be shown whether these specific cellular effects occur in vivo.

Peripheral immune cells express cannabinoid receptors

Peripheral immune cells also participate in the neuroinflammatory response (reviewed in Carson & Sutcliffe, 1999). CB2 receptor mRNA is expressed, in decreasing rank order, by human B cells, NK cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and T cells at levels 10 to 100 times higher than CB1 receptor mRNA (Galiegue et al., 1995). Cells of the immune system express mRNA for the CB1 receptor, but at lower levels than cells of the CNS (Galiegue et al., 1995). In human peripheral blood cells, CB1 receptor mRNA and protein are expressed, in decreasing rank order, by B cells, NK cells, neutrophils, CD8+ T cells, monocytes, and CD4+ T cells (Galiegue et al., 1995).

CB1 and CB2 receptors are expressed by human peripheral blood cell-derived dendritic cells (DCs) (Matias et al., 2002), and mRNA for both CB1 and CB2 receptors is expressed in mouse bone marrow-derived DC (Klein et al., 2003). Mouse peritoneal macrophages and rodent macrophage cell lines express CB2 receptor mRNA, and this message is more abundant than the message for CB1 (Carlisle et al., 2002). Rat peritoneal macrophages also express CB2 receptors (Carlisle et al., 2002). In peripheral macrophages, like in their CNS counterpart, CB2 receptor expression may be modulated by the activation state of the cell. IFN-γ increases CB2 receptor protein in mouse macrophages (Carlisle et al., 2002). Levels of CB2 receptors in cells of macrophage lineage undergo changes correlating with cell activation, and inflammatory and primed macrophages express higher levels of CB2 receptor, so the functions of macrophages in these states of activation may be the most sensitive to the actions of cannabinoids (Carlisle et al., 2002).

Other peripheral immune cells also modulate their cannabinoid receptor expression. CD40 is expressed by both macrophages and DC and can regulate T- and B-cell responses in MS (reviewed in Laman et al., 1998). CB2 receptor expression in human B cells increases following the activation by anti-CD40 antibody (Carayon et al., 1998). There is a clear role of mature B cells in MS and EAE, as clonal B-cell accumulation in the CSF or lesions of MS patients occurs (reviewed in Cross et al., 2001). Differentiation of B cells is accompanied by decreased expression of CB2 receptor mRNA and protein (Carayon et al., 1998). Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced by glial and neural cells that influences the function and survival of glial cells in MS (reviewed in Pratt & Mcpherson, 1997), leads to a decrease in CB2 receptor expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (Gardner et al., 2002).

In summary, peripheral immune cells that participate in neuroinflammation express cannabinoid receptors. The expression level of CB2 receptors depends on whether and how these cells are activated. These data suggest a physiological role of the endocannabinoid system in the functions of immune cells with respect to inflammation, and point to cannabinoid receptors as pharmacological targets aimed at treating neuroinflammation, perhaps explaining some of the benefits seen with cannabinoids in rodent models of MS. However, it remains to be shown if cannabinoid receptor expression in immune cells is altered during MS.

Peripheral cells involved in neuroinflammation respond to cannabinoid compounds

During inflammation, T cells and macrophages secrete cytokines that stimulate recruitment and activation of leukocytes to eliminate a perceived infectious agent. CB2 receptor activation typically inhibits the functions of immune cells (reviewed in Parolaro, 1999), likely via the known CB2 receptor intracellular signaling mechanisms: inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity by Gi/o proteins and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (Bouaboula et al., 1993; Bayewitch et al., 1995; Felder et al., 1995; Wartmann et al., 1995). The following subsections discuss in more detail the effects of endogenous, plant, and synthetic cannabinoid compounds on peripheral immune cells.

Proliferation and chemotaxis

Cannabinoids may suppress the immune response, and hence the inflammatory response, by modulating proliferation or inducing apoptosis in lymphocytes. An increase in lymphocyte cell number is crucial for an inflammatory response to occur. THC induces apoptosis in macrophages (Zhu et al., 1998). Cannabidiol causes a dose-dependent suppression of lymphocyte proliferation (Malfait et al., 2000). Δ8-THC, CP55940, and anandamide also suppress T- and B-cell proliferation (Schwarz et al., 1994). Interestingly, another report showed that CP55940 enhances proliferation of B cells and this is blocked by SR144528 (Carayon et al., 1998).

Myeloid leukemia cells expressing CB2 receptors display chemotaxis and chemokinesis in response to 2-AG, but not in response to other cannabinoid compounds (Jorda et al., 2002). CP55940 causes chemotaxis and chemokinesis of HL60 human leukemia cells expressing CB2 receptors (Derocq et al., 2000), but CP55940 inhibits rat macrophage migration (Sacerdote et al., 2000).

Cytokine production

T-helper (TH) cells regulate cell-mediated (TH1) and humoral (TH2) adaptive immunity. A shift towards TH1 has been associated with disease progression, while polarizing T-cell responses towards a TH2 phenotype has been associated with therapeutic benefit in MS and EAE, although some evidence suggests that this model may be more complex (reviewed in Hemmer et al., 2002). THC suppresses TH1 immunity by inhibiting the production of IFN-γ and proinflammatory IL-12 as well as the expression of IL-12 receptors, and it increases the expression of anti-inflammatory IL-4, a TH2 cytokine, all through CB1 and CB2 receptors (Newton et al., 1994; Klein et al., 2000; Yuan et al., 2002). These results may explain some of the longer-term effects of cannabinoids on ameliorating EAE.

Monocytes and macrophages are critical to the progression of MS and EAE. Anandamide inhibits proinflammatory TNFα production, inhibits cytokine soluble receptors, and inhibits IL-6 and IL-8 in LPS-stimulated monocytes (Berdyshev et al., 1997). 2-AG inhibits TNFα production from mouse macrophages (Gallily et al., 2000). JWH-015 added to THP-1 macrophages before stimulation with LPS and IFN-γ reduces the secretion of proinflammatory IL-1β and TNFα and the toxicity of culture supernatants to human neuroblastoma cells, and this latter effect is reversed by SR144528 but not SR141716A (Klegeris et al., 2003), suggesting that this effect could be mediated by CB2 receptors. Although these results indicate an anti-inflammatory effect of cannabinoids, there are other results that suggest that cannabinoids may in some cases be proinflammatory. Indeed, THC was shown to increase release of IL-1β from macrophages (Zhu et al., 1998). In addition, CP55940, but not anandamide or THC, induces proinflammatory IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) gene expression in unstimulated HL60 human leukemia cells, due to the activation of CB2 receptors (Jbilo et al., 1999).

NO production

THC inhibits NO production in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated mouse macrophages (Coffey et al., 1996a, 1996b) and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages (Jeon et al., 1996). WIN also inhibits the LPS-induced release of NO in macrophages, an effect blocked by SR144528 (Ross et al., 2000). CP55940 reduces NO production from IFN-γ/LPS-stimulated feline macrophages and this is reversed by either SR141716A or SR144528 (Ponti et al., 2001).

Although plant and synthetic cannabinoids inhibit NO production from immune cells, endogenous cannabinoids induce it. Anandamide increases NO production in human monocytes (Stefano et al., 1996) and macrophages (Stefano et al., 1998). 2-AG increases NO in human monocytes, and this is blocked by SR141716A, but not SR144528 (Stefano et al., 2000). 2-AG does not alter NO from mouse macrophages (Gallily et al., 2000). Why plant and synthetic cannabinoid agonists induce the opposite response to endocannabinoids is an open question.

AA release

Increased AA levels may be associated with MS (reviewed in Greco et al., 2000). Indeed, it is the precursor of the class of bioactive molecules consisting of the proinflammatory eicosanoids. Anandamide stimulates AA release in monocytes (Berdyshev et al., 1997). Anandamide induces AA release from J774 mouse macrophages, and this is blocked by pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Gi/o proteins (Di Marzo et al., 1997). However, anandamide also induces AA release in cells that do not express CB1 or CB2 receptors (Felder et al., 1993; Felder et al., 1995). THC induces AA release from RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages, and this is likely mediated by the CB2 receptor (Hunter & Burstein, 1997). The effects of cannabinoids on AA release imply a proinflammatory influence on peripheral immune cells.

Several other cannabinoid-like compounds may have anti-inflammatory potential. Ajulemic acid, an analog of a THC metabolite (reviewed in Burstein, 2000), has been shown to elicit anti-inflammatory properties in transfected human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells in culture (Liu et al., 2003). Palmitoylethanolamide is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent (reviewed in Lambert et al., 2002), and its action is blocked by the antagonist SR144528 in a rodent model of peripheral inflammation (Calignano et al., 1998). The endogenous compound oleoylethanolamide is structurally related to palmitoylethanolamide, does not bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors (Lin et al., 1998), and has an anti-inflammatory molecular target (Fu et al., 2003). Noladin ether, a putative endocannabinoid, can bind to the CB1 receptor but not the CB2 receptor (Hanus et al., 2001). However, its natural presence in tissue is controversial since Fezza et al. (2002) quantified noladin ether in rat brain, but Oka et al. (2003) did not detect this compound in rat, mouse, hamster, guinea-pig, or pig brain. The possibility for these compounds to influence the course of neuroinflammation remains to be discovered.

To summarize this section, peripheral immune cells involved in inflammation respond to endogenous, plant, and synthetic cannabinoids by altering the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, migrating, and decreasing proliferation. This information points towards possible explanations of the effects seen with cannabinoids in rodent models of MS. As with the cannabinoid effects on glial cells, it also remains to be seen whether cannabinoids elicit these effects on peripheral immune cells in vivo.

Cells involved in inflammation produce and degrade endocannabinoids

Synthesis of endocannabinoids occurs via hydrolysis of membrane lipid precursors (reviewed in Piomelli, 2003). Anandamide is formed via cleavage of its precursor N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine by phospholipase D, whereas 2-AG is formed via cleavage of its precursor diacylglycerol by diacylglycerol lipase (reviewed in Di Marzo et al., 1999a). Anandamide (Willoughby et al., 1997) and 2-AG (Jarai et al., 2000) are both degraded in vivo into AA. The main hydrolyzing enzyme for anandamide is fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) (Cravatt et al., 1996), and the main hydrolyzing enzyme for 2-AG is monoglyceride lipase (MGL) (Dinh et al., 2002). In addition, there is evidence suggesting specific transporters for endocannabinoids exist (reviewed in Hillard & Jarrahian, 2000; Fowler & Jacobsson, 2002), although this topic is subject to some controversy (Glaser et al., 2003).

Many cell types, including immune cells, are capable of producing and degrading endocannabinoids (reviewed in Di Marzo et al., 1999a). Although the complete list of mediators capable of influencing endocannabinoid production and degradation is not known, basal production and degradation of endocannabinoids has been characterized in immune cells, and some modulators have been identified.

Production

One group measured endocannabinoid levels in mice with EAE. Baker et al. (2001) found that brains and spinal cords of spastic animals contained elevated levels of anandamide and 2-AG compared with control animals. Interestingly, exogenous administration of anandamide and 2-AG ameliorated spasticity within minutes (Baker et al., 2001). These results show that inflamed CNS tissues produce endocannabinoids and that augmenting this production may have a beneficial effect. The specific cellular sources of endocannabinoids are discussed below.

Primary cultures of mouse microglia produce anandamide and 2-AG, and 2-AG production increases in response to ATP (Walter et al., 2003a). BV-2 mouse microglial cells also produce anandamide and 2-AG, and 2-AG increases in response to ionomycin, a calcium ionophore (Walter et al., 2003a), reinforcing the notion that endocannabinoid production is calcium dependent. In addition, mouse astrocytes produce anandamide and 2-AG, and levels of these endocannabinoids increase in response to the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (Walter et al., 2003a; Walter & Stella, 2003b).

Like their CNS counterparts, J774 mouse macrophages also increase anandamide and 2-AG in response to ionomycin (Di Marzo et al., 1999b). LPS induces anandamide and 2-AG in rat circulating macrophages (Wagner et al., 1997; Di Marzo et al., 1999b) and 2-AG in rat platelets (Varga et al., 1998). In RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages, LPS (Pestonjamasp & Burstein, 1998; Liu et al., 2003) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) (Pestonjamasp & Burstein, 1998) induce anandamide. PAF also increases 2-AG in these cells (Liu et al., 2003). LPS has been shown to increase anandamide in human lymphocytes (Maccarrone et al., 2001) and 2-AG in human DCs (Matias et al., 2002).

Degradation

Baker et al. (2001) also used mice with EAE to examine the potential for pharmacologically targeting the FAAH enzyme as a treatment of neuroinflammation. A pharmacological inhibitor of FAAH, as well as inhibitors of the putative anandamide transporter, reduced spasticity within minutes, and effects were blocked by the administration of SR141716A in conjunction with SR144528 (Baker et al., 2001). The specific cells involved in neuoinflammation that are capable of degrading endocannabinoids are discussed below.

In the CNS, the majority of FAAH is expressed by neurons, but one study showed that astrocytes also express FAAH (Romero et al., 2002). Outside the CNS, human T cells (Maccarrone et al., 2003) and human DC (Matias et al., 2002) express FAAH. RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells have FAAH activity (Bisogno et al., 1997) and also express FAAH (Day et al., 2001). Rat macrophages express FAAH mRNA (Di Marzo et al., 1999b), and LPS induces FAAH mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages (Liu et al., 2003). J774 macrophages rapidly inactivate anandamide (Bisogno et al., 1997). In addition, U937 human lymphoma cells are sensitive to FAAH inhibitors (Maccarrone et al., 2000b), and HMC-1 human mast cells hydrolyze anandamide (Maccarrone et al., 2000a).

RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells hydrolyze 2-AG (Di Marzo et al., 1998). J774 mouse macrophages also rapidly inactivate 2-AG (Di Marzo et al., 1999b), and LPS downregulates enzymatic 2-AG hydrolysis in rat macrophages (Di Marzo et al., 1999b).

In summary, cells and tissues involved in neuroinflammation produce and degrade endocannabinoids, and anandamide and 2-AG levels are differentially regulated in cells. Glial and immune cells increase endocannabinoid production under selective conditions. It is possible that injured tissues produce endocannabinoids and consequently induce immune cells to migrate towards them. Enzymes responsible for the production and degradation of endocannabinoids may be suitable targets for pharmacological therapeutics against inflammation, as they are expressed both in the CNS and in the periphery. It would be of interest to identify the specific cell types responsible for the consequences of inhibiting FAAH in the mouse model of MS. Animals genetically engineered to lack the primary metabolizing enzyme of anandamide (Cravatt et al., 2001) and 2-AG will help to further determine the role of the cannabinoid system in inflammation.

Conclusion

Cells involved in neuroinflammation express functional cannabinoid receptors and produce and degrade endocannabinoids, suggesting that the endocannabinoid signaling system has a regulatory function in the inflammatory response. Specifically, during neuroinflammation, there is an upregulation of components involved in the cannabinoid signaling system. This suggests that the cannabinoid signaling system participates in the complex development of this disease, which includes a tight orchestration of the various immune cells involved. If this is the case, the cannabinoid signaling machinery may provide ideal targets, since these would be more susceptible to pharmacological effects than those in the same system under healthy conditions. In line with this, cannabinoid compounds alter the functions of these cells, generally by eliciting anti-inflammatory effects. In the case of MS, neuroinflammation is accompanied by autoimmunity and suppressing the immune response may halt or even prevent associated symptoms. As seen in rodent models of MS, cannabinoids ameliorate the progression of and symptoms associated with neuroinflammation. Future experiments into the components that alter endocannabinoid production and degradation, cannabinoid receptor expression, and effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on immune cells will provide the necessary information to design more effective treatments for neuroinflammation.

Acknowledgments

Support for this work was provided by NIDA DA14486 (to NS), Pilot Grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (to NS), and US PHS NRSA T32 GM07270 from NIGMS (to LW).

Abbreviations

2-AG 2-arachidonoylglycerol
AA arachidonic acid
anandamide arachidonoylethanolamide
CNS central nervous system
DC dendritic cells
EAE experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
FAAH fatty acid amide hydrolase
IFN-γ interferon-gamma
IL interleukin
LPS lipopolysaccharide
MCP-1 monocyte chemotactic protein 1
MGL monoglyceride lipase
MHCII major histocompatibility complex class II
MS multiple sclerosis
NK cells natural killer cells
NO nitric oxide
PAF platelet-activating factor
TGF-β transforming growth factor β
TH cells T-helper cells
THC Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol
TMEV Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus
TNFα tumor necrosis factor α

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Source: Cannabinoids and neuroinflammation