Abstract
During immuno-mediated attack of the brain, activation of endocannabinoids represents a protective mechanism, aimed at reducing both neurodegenerative and inflammatory damage through various and partially converging mechanisms that involve neuronal and immune cells. Here, we review the main alterations of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) within the central nervous system and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in order to discuss the intriguing observation that elements of the peripheral ECS mirror central dysfunctions of endocannabinoid signaling. As a consequence, elements of blood ECS might serve as novel, non-invasive diagnostic tools of several neurological disorders, and targeting the ECS might be useful for therapeutic purposes. In addition, we discuss the appealing working hypothesis that the presence of type-1 cannabinoid receptors on the luminal side, and that of type-2 cannabinoid receptors on the abluminal side of the blood-brain barrier, could drive a unidirectional transport of AEA in the luminal → abluminal direction (i.e., from blood to brain), thus implying that blood may be a reservoir of AEA for the brain. On this basis, it can be expected that an unbalance of the endogenous tone of AEA in the blood may sustain a similar unbalance of its level within the brain, as demonstrated in Huntingtons disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, depression and headache.
Keywords: blood-brain barrier, cannabinoid receptors, depression, immune response, lymphocytes, metabolism, migraine, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, transport, vanilloid receptor
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: The Endocannabinoid System in Peripheral Lymphocytes as a Mirror of Neuroinflammatory Diseases
Volume: 14 Issue: 23
Author(s): Diego Centonze, Luca Battistini and Mauro Maccarrone
Affiliation:
Keywords: blood-brain barrier, cannabinoid receptors, depression, immune response, lymphocytes, metabolism, migraine, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, transport, vanilloid receptor
Abstract: During immuno-mediated attack of the brain, activation of endocannabinoids represents a protective mechanism, aimed at reducing both neurodegenerative and inflammatory damage through various and partially converging mechanisms that involve neuronal and immune cells. Here, we review the main alterations of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) within the central nervous system and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in order to discuss the intriguing observation that elements of the peripheral ECS mirror central dysfunctions of endocannabinoid signaling. As a consequence, elements of blood ECS might serve as novel, non-invasive diagnostic tools of several neurological disorders, and targeting the ECS might be useful for therapeutic purposes. In addition, we discuss the appealing working hypothesis that the presence of type-1 cannabinoid receptors on the luminal side, and that of type-2 cannabinoid receptors on the abluminal side of the blood-brain barrier, could drive a unidirectional transport of AEA in the luminal → abluminal direction (i.e., from blood to brain), thus implying that blood may be a reservoir of AEA for the brain. On this basis, it can be expected that an unbalance of the endogenous tone of AEA in the blood may sustain a similar unbalance of its level within the brain, as demonstrated in Huntingtons disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, depression and headache.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Centonze Diego, Battistini Luca and Maccarrone Mauro, The Endocannabinoid System in Peripheral Lymphocytes as a Mirror of Neuroinflammatory Diseases, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2008; 14 (23) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208785740018
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208785740018 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Sleep Disordered Breathing: Alternatives to CPAP Therapy
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Pediatric Chronic Daily Headache
Current Pediatric Reviews History Repeats Itself: Pharmacodynamic Trends in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Melatonin in Antinociception: Its Therapeutic Applications
Current Neuropharmacology Disorders of Consciousness and Electrophysiological Treatment Strategies: A Review of the Literature and New Perspectives
Current Pharmaceutical Design Repurposing of Metformin for Cancer Therapy: Updated Patent and Literature Review
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Etravirine in the Treatment of HIV-1: A Clinical Overview for Healthcare Professionals
Current HIV Research Secondary Hypertension: The Ways of Management
Current Vascular Pharmacology Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Role of Methylene Blue in Trauma Neuroprotection and Neuropsychiatric Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Transdermal Nutraceuticals Delivery System for CNS Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Dermatologic Disorders
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) The Hypocretins and their Role in Narcolepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Current Pediatric Reviews Clinical Features and Disease Damage Risk Factors in an Egyptian SLE Cohort: A Multicenter Study
Current Rheumatology Reviews Small Molecule Antagonists of the Chemokine Receptor CCR5
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Healthcare Workers in Iran: An Urgent Need for Early Identification and Management
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Naproxen: An Update on Physicochemical, Analytical and Pharmacological Aspects
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Weighing Benefits and Risks
Current Alzheimer Research Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery