Bisogno, T., Oddi, S., Piccoli, A., Fazio, D., Maccarrone, M.
Type-2 cannabinoid receptors in neurodegeneration
(2016) Pharmacological Research, 111, pp. 721-730.
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84979937169&partnerID=40&md5=dfc5717e41ba31feb9afe4df57b4006f
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.07.021
AFFILIATIONS: Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Pozzuoli, Italy;
Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Rome, Italy;
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy;
European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome, Italy
ABSTRACT: Based on its wide expression in immune cells, type-2 cannabinoid (CB2) receptors were traditionally thought to act as “peripheral receptors” with an almost exclusively immunomodulatory function. However, their recent identification in mammalian brain areas, as well as in distinct neuronal cells, has opened the way to a re-consideration of CB2 signaling in the context of brain pathophysiology, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. To date, accumulated evidence from several independent preclinical studies has offered new perspectives on the possible involvement of CB2 signaling in brain and spinal cord traumatic injury, as well as in the most relevant neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea. Here, we will review available information on CB2 in these disease conditions, along with data that support also its therapeutic potential to treat them. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: Maccarrone, M.; Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, Italy; email: m.maccarrone@unicampus.it
