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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
53 articles
Newest firstIntracellular Ca2+ regulates insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and is influenced by cannabinoid signaling. However, the hydrophobicity and complex pharmacology of cannabinoid ligands prevent precision receptor targeting, limiting our understanding of their roles in modulating insulin release. Here, we use fluorescent Ca2+ imaging to examine how the light-activatable CB2 receptor agonist azo-HU308 modulates…
Open article record in new tab ↗The G protein-coupled receptor GPR18, engaged by pro-resolving and cannabinoid-related lipid ligands, plays a vascular bed-specific protective role in endothelial function. The aim of the present study was to establish the vasoreactivity and passive biomechanical properties of the thoracic aorta and femoral artery of adult GPR18 knockout compared with wildtype mice, using ex vivo myography, arterial morphology, an…
BACKGROUND: The transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel is known to have strong species-dependent activation modes and divers functions. Based on previous results, which showed expression by human ovarian granulosa cells, we studied human TRPV2 in human granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) and derived cells (KGN cells). GCTs are rare ovarian tumors, for which neither specific therapies, nor adequate marke…
The human corneal endothelium (HCE) is critical for maintaining corneal transparency. Dysfunctions due to cell loss are linked to altered intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis. Transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) are key regulators of [Ca2+]i, and both L-ascorbic acid (Asc) and cannabinoid receptor (CB) agonists have been implicated in modulating TRP activity. This study investigated the effects of…
Mitochondrial disruption is a key mechanism in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Promoting mitochondrial dynamics and renewal of the mitochondrial network can restore its function and sustain neuronal viability. Although a growing body of evidence implicates endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of mitochondrial function, its neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative diseases remains largely unexpl…
Alterations in the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons are critical in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic pain. Neurotransmitter release from the terminals of DRG neurons is regulated by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), both activated by anandamide (AEA). In our experiments, the AEA precursor N-arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine (20:4-NAPE) was…
Open article record in new tab ↗Study question Do the main psychoactive phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its non-psychoactive analog cannabidiol (CBD) affect human sperm function? Summary answer THC and CBD affect the sperm-specific Ca2+ channel CatSper, suppress activation of the channel by progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), and THC also alters human sperm function in vitro. What is known already Marijuana (Ca…
Skeletal muscle, constituting 40-50% of total body mass, is vital for mobility, posture, and systemic homeostasis. Muscle contraction heavily relies on ATP, primarily generated by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria play a key role in decoding intracellular calcium signals. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), including CB1 receptors (CB1Rs), broadly influences physiological processes and, in muscle…
Astrocytes orchestrate brain energy metabolism and respond to endocannabinoids via cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), whereas the contribution of CB2R remains uncertain. We combined live-cell Förster resonance energy transfer sensors for D-glucose and L-lactate, intracellular Ca2+ imaging, glycogen assays, and whole-cell patch-clamp capacitance measurements to define how cannabinoid ligands shape astrocyte physio…
Open article record in new tab ↗The lateral habenula (LHb) integrates cortical and basal forebrain (BF) input to control monoaminergic outflow and is implicated in depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and aversion. Although cannabis withdrawal is associated with negative affect and heightened anxiety, LHb involvement is not established. Here, effects of withdrawal from the psychoactive cannabis constituent Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) on LH…
Presynaptic Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) is a key signal for synaptic vesicle release. Synaptic neurexins can partially determine the strength of transmission by regulating VGCCs. However, it is unknown whether neurexins modulate Ca2+ influx via all VGCC subtypes similarly. Here, we performed live cell imaging of synaptic boutons from primary hippocampal neurons with a Ca2+ indicator. We…
Studies have shown that natural products can induce paraptosis in tumour cell lines. Paraptosis is characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolation arising from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. The mechanism of paraptosis is unclear; however, dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis is believed to affect paraptosis induction. This study investigated the mechanism of cell death induced by a phytocannabinoid ratio…
Open article record in new tab ↗The endocannabinoid system is found throughout the central nervous system, and its cannabinoids receptor 1 is critical in preventing neurotoxicity caused by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation (NMDARs). The activity of NMDARs places demands on endogenous cannabinoids to regulate their calcium currents. Endocannabinoids keep NMDAR activity within safe limits, protecting neural cells from excitotoxicity. Cannab…
Mounting evidence supports the role of the endocannabinoid system in neurophysiology, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Recent work has demonstrated that activation of endocannabinoid receptors can mitigate insults to the BBB during neurological disorders like traumatic brain injury, cortical spreading depression, and stroke. As alterations to the BBB are associated with worsening clinical outcomes in…
Since its medical legalization, cannabis preparations containing the major phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol (CBD) and δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) have been used by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to alleviate pain and inflammation. However, minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, but due to the lack of studies, they are not widely used. CBG binds sever…
Open article record in new tab ↗In this study, we have investigated a possible mechanism that enables CB1/M3 receptor cross-talk, using SH-SY5Y cells as a model system. Our results show that M3 receptor activation initiates signaling that rapidly upregulates the CNR1 gene, resulting in a greatly potentiated CB1 receptor response to agonists. Calcium homeostasis plays an essential intermediary role in this functional CB1/M3 receptor cross-talk. W…
In the past decade, methamphetamine (METH) abuse has sharply increased in the United States, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. METH abuse not only leads to serious drug dependence, but also produces irreversible neurotoxicity. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapies for the treatment of METH use disorders. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive (and non-addictive) cannabinoid from the cannabis plant,…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, elicits several pharmacological effects via the 5-HT1A receptor. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is the main serotonergic cluster in the brain that expresses the 5-HT1A receptor. To date, the effect of CBD on the neuronal activity of DRN 5-HT cells and its interaction with somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors have not been charact…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabis sativa has long been known to affect numerous biological activities. Although plant extracts, purified cannabinoids, or synthetic cannabinoid analogs have shown therapeutic potential in pain, inflammation, seizure disorders, appetite stimulation, muscle spasticity, and treatment of nausea/vomiting, the underlying mechanisms of action remain ill-defined. In this study we provide the first comprehensive ove…
The nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), is Food and Dug Administration approved for treatment of two drug-resistant epileptic disorders and is seeing increased use among the general public, yet the mechanisms that underlie its therapeutic effects and side-effect profiles remain unclear. Here, we report a systems-level analysis of CBD action in human cell lines using temporal multiomic profiling. FRET-b…