Readable research linked to original sources
Articles
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
36 articles
Newest firstThe endocannabinoid system is a neuromodulatory network regulating synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity, and neuroinflammatory responses in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The endocannabinoid system comprises endogenous ligands, termed endocannabinoids, and two principal receptors, cannabinoid receptor type 1 and type 2 (CB1R and CB2R). While CB1R is predominantly associated with the central ner…
Open article record in new tab ↗Synaptic transmission is dynamically regulated by neuromodulators. One well-studied example is cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R)-mediated suppression of neurotransmitter release by reducing presynaptic Ca2+ influx. Recently, GPR55 was shown to regulate transmitter release through a mechanism distinct from that of CB1R. However, the presynaptic role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) remains unclear. Here we st…
Open article record in new tab ↗The G-protein-coupled receptor cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) initiates a key signaling pathway in mammalian physiology and pathophysiology. CB2R signaling holds significant therapeutic potential in ameliorating many pathologies, particularly in inflammatory conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, fibroproliferative and ocular diseases. CB2 modulators have been studied for their anti-inflammatory and tissue protec…
Understanding the cellular and molecular distribution of cannabinoids can address a highly contentious perspective in the pain neuroscience field: whether cannabinoids are viable in pain relief. Due to insufficient evidence for cannabinoids in reducing pain in clinical trials and gaps in knowledge across the translational research process, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) published a posi…
Open article record in new tab ↗Leukocyte trafficking is a critical step in the development of chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease. While strategies that block gut homing have yielded partial success, this disease remains uncurable leaving an unmet clinical need. This is the first paper to describe a role for cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) signaling in promoting retinoic acid-mediated induction of the gut homing associated integri…
Open article record in new tab ↗The endocannabinoid system is a ubiquitous neuromodulatory network that links internal physiological state to neural circuit function across the brain. While its roles in memory, reward, pain, and motor control are well established, its contribution to olfactory processing has only recently gained attention. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the anatomical, cellular, and functional interactions betw…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB 2 R) is highly expressed on immune cells, but its role in T cell metabolism remains unclear. Here, we show that CB 2 R activation rapidly increases glucose uptake in human Jurkat T cells and drives a broader metabolic reprogramming away from glycolysis toward oxidative metabolism and the pentose phosphate pathway. Pharmacological CB 2 R activation increased mitochondrial mass, spare resp…
Open article record in new tab ↗Although antiviral therapy has improved quality of life, around 50% of people with HIV (PWH) experience neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. This is prompted in part by the migration of HIV-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) to the brain, leading to neuronal death. Previous studies in our lab have shown that HIV-infected MDMs secrete cathepsin B (CATB), which is a pro-inflammatory neurotoxic enzyme t…
Background Male factor infertility (MFI) is responsible for 50% of infertility cases and in 15% of the cases sperm is absent due to germ cell aplasia. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived spermatogonial stem cells (hSSCs) could serve as an autologous germ cell source for MFI in patients with an insufficient sperm yield for assisted reproductive technology (ART). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has…
Over the last three decades, the decriminalization and legalization of therapeutic and recreational marijuana consumption have increased. Consequently, the availability of marijuana-based products associated with its therapeutic use has increased. These developments have stimulated research on cannabinoids involving a wide range of animal models and clinical trials. Also, it is reported that cannabinoids promote s…
Open article record in new tab ↗Navelina oranges (Citrus sinensis) are rich in phytonutrients and bioactive compounds, especially flavonoids like hesperidin. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties of hesperidin (HE) and a polyphenol mixture from Navelina oranges (OE) in human hepatocytes (Hepa-RG) and hepatic stellate cells (LX-2), in order to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. In Hepa-RG cells, HE…
Recent advances in cannabinoid-based therapies identified the natural CB2 receptor agonist β-caryophyllene (BCP) as a promising anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent. To further explore its therapeutic potential on the management of neurodegenerative disorders, in the present study we investigated the ability of BCP to prevent neuroinflammation and promote neuroprotection by using both in vitro and ex vivo m…
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) affect 15-55% of HIV-positive patients and effective therapies are unavailable. HIV-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) invade the brain of these individuals, promoting neurotoxicity. We demonstrated an increased expression of cathepsin B (CATB), a lysosomal protease, in monocytes and post-mortem brain tissues of women with HAND. Increased CATB release from HI…
Approximately 80% of all malignant brain tumors are gliomas, which are primary brain tumors. The most prevalent subtype of glioma, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is also the most deadly. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and conventional pharmacotherapy are currently available therapeutic options for GBM; unfortunately, these approaches only prolong the patient's life by 5 years at most. Despite numerous inten…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R are G-protein coupled receptors acted upon by endocannabinoids (eCBs), namely 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), with unique pharmacology and modulate disparate physiological processes. A genetically encoded GPCR activation-based sensor that was developed recently-GRABeCB2.0-has been shown to be capable of monitoring real-time changes in eCB lev…
Open article record in new tab ↗Introduction: Moderate corneal alkali burns such as those sustained from accidental exposure to household chemicals are treated with topical corticosteroids. Side effects include increased intraocular pressure and slowing of wound healing. Here, we compare the effects of a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2r) agonist, TA-A001, that is involved in wound healing with that of the corticosteroid, prednisolone. Methods: TA-A0…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cachexia syndrome, leading to reduced skeletal muscle and fat mass, is highly prevalent in cancer patients, resulting in further negative implications for these patients. To date, there is no approved therapy for cachexia syndrome. The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro model of cancer cachexia in mature human skeletal muscle myotubes, with the intention of exploiting the cell model to assess pot…
Background Inflammasomes in astrocytes have been shown to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cannabinoid Receptor 2(CB2R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is considered a promising therapeutic target in inflammation-related disorders. This study aims to explore the role of CB2R in regulating NOD-like receptor fam…
Open article record in new tab ↗